Neno Council banks on fish farming to empower people

Neno district fisheries officer Chancy Gondwe has said fish farming has the potential to empower people economically and increase revenue for the council.

He said this on Tuesday when he visited six fish ponds Yachin Investment is constructing at Mtengula Village in Traditional Authority Symon in the district.

Gondwe said with good management, the six ponds will significantly contribute to high fish production in the district, thereby empowering people who will be involved in the value-chain.

“Increased fish production will boost fish business in the district, which will contribute to more revenue generation,” he said.

Gondwe said as one way of scaling up fish production in the district, the council is initiating the construction of fish ponds measuring up to one hectare where fish farmers are encouraged to work in groups and form a cluster for them to learn new technologies.

“We are also implementing a pass-on programme where farmers receive fingerlings and after a year, they pass on the fingerlings to others,” he said.

Yachichin Investment founder Faith Badza said she embarked on fish production because of high demand of fish in the district.

She said she earmarked five hectares where she plans to do fish production, fingerling production, fish processing and fruits farming.

“Fish farming can create job opportunities in rural areas, which can help to alleviate poverty and improve livelihoods,” said Badza.

A community member Yesaya Phombeya, from Lisungwi, said he considers taking up fish farming as a business.

He said: “Neno is a drought-prone district where food production is usually low.  As such, fish farming seems a viable venture to earn an income to buy food.”

The district has 189 fish farmers with 176 fish ponds.