Kasungu district fisheries officer Ignatious Lipato has urged communities to diversify their farming activities and adopt green businesses such as fish farming.
He said this on Saturday when Jesuit Centre for Ecology and Development handed over fingerings to Chisamba Village in Sub-Traditional Authority Ndume to mark the launch of a community owned fish pond.
Said Lipato: “As a department responsible for aquaculture, we are seriously encouraging fish farming in rural communities.Farmers introduce fingeri
the pond. | Wanangwa Tembo
“Fish farming is one of the best green businesses communities can adopt for their nutrition and income security.”
He said Kasungu District has over 1 000 farmers in all extension planning areas who produce about 15.5 metric tonnes of fish annually.
“So, the launch of this pond is a huge development that will boost production,” said Lipato.
Jesuit Centre for Ecology and Development director Reuben Nazombe commended the community’s commitment to construct the pond.
He said: “Our interest is to work with rural communities so that they withstand the impact of climate change, which is affecting their livelihood.
“Although climate change affects everyone, our understanding is that it affects vulnerable communities more than others.”
Nazombe said with the unreliability of rains, communities have to diversify the sources of their livelihood and venture into green businesses that protect the environment.
Chisamba Village Pond chairperson Kamwenye Vito thanked the Jesuit Centre for Ecology and Development for supporting the 54-member group with training and resources to start the fish farming project.
