K40m fish pond rehab project excites farmers

Thirty fish farmers in Mzimba District have expressed excitement with a K40 million fish pond rehabilitation initiative implemented by M’Mbelwa District Council.

The rehabilitation is being funded by a grant from the Catholic Relief Services (CRS) as part of Afikepo’s Performance-Based Incentive (PBI) programme which seeks to promote nutrition among communities.

One of the farmers, Rose Ndawandawa from Champhinga area in Traditional Authority (T/A) M’Mbelwa, said the rehabilitation of her fish ponds will enable her to harvest more fish.

“With this project, I expect to benefit more as it will be maintained to the expected standards using technical skills from the Fisheries Department,” she said.

Another farmer, Dan Mhone from Chikangawa in T/A Kampingo Sibande, also said he embraced the project and that he hopes to raise more fish.

“I have never raised over 3 000 fingerlings in my pond but with this initiative I expect to raise over 3 000 fingerlings on this fish pond. I hope to make a huge profit from the sales,” he said.

Mzimba District was awarded the grant for emerging second best in scaling up nutrition interventions after Chitipa District Council.

M’Mbelwa District Council nutrition officer Gift Simkonda said the council started rehabilitating the 30 fish ponds in Manyamula, Kazomba, Champhira, Chikangawa, Vibangalala and Khosolo in Mzimba South.

“The rehabilitation of these 30 fish ponds will ensure their functionality, thereby increasing fish production. This will help farmers to scale up supply in markets,” he said.

Mzimba district fisheries officer Andrew Saukani said the fish ponds rehabilitation works will involve expansion of ponds, improving draining systems, strengthening pond structures and infrastructure as well as provision of fingerlings.