22 July 2011
Central Province Permanent Secretary Denny Lumbama has challenged Zambians to venture into fish farming as a way of diversifying from the tradition of growing maize and other food crops.
Mr Lumbama said since the demand for fish in the country was growing, there is need for more Zambians to take keen interest in the fisheries sector and consider going into fishing farming.
Speaking in an interview in Kabwe yesterday Mr Lumbama said the contribution of the fisheries sector to the country’s development could be enormous if more people tapped the potential in fish farming.
Fish species were depleting in water bodies due to various reasons which include effects of climate change and bad fishing methods.
He explained that the Central Province’s rich capture of fisheries and fish farming during the 2010 season recorded an increase which saw an additional 2.4 tonnes from emerging fish farmers.
“It is clear that the demand for fish is growing steadily in Central Province as elsewhere in the country in response to the population growth and urbanisation which is the reason people should take interest in this sector,” he said.
He said the overall per capita supply in the country has declined over the years from the 11 kilogrammes per annum in the 1970s to 6.5 kilogrammes currently.
The Government, he said, would continue to support and encourage Zambians interested in contributing to the growth of the fish industry in the country.
He said it is clear that the fish industry has attracted a huge market which has seen the country supplying fish to the neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) through Kasumbalesa border.
AllAfrica – All the Time