Zambia to Spend K1Billion on Fish Nurseries

The ZambiaDailyMail reports that so far, the department has established three fish hatcheries at three research stations in Kasempa in North-Western Province to promote aquaculture production. Fisheries Department director Patrick Ngalande said Zambia is still lagging behind in fish production in the southern African region hence the need to promote fish breeding.

"This year, we are going to embark on a vigorous fish restocking exercise. Currently, as a nation we are not producing enough fish to expected levels. This year, we plan to establish six fish hatcheries in six research stations to boost the fish industry," Mr Ngalande said.
He was speaking in Kitwe on Saturday during the graduation ceremony of 25 agriculture extension officers who underwent training in broodstock management and breeding at the National Aquaculture Research Centre sponsored by the Japanese International Corporation Agency (JICA). Mr Ngalande said the training of the 25 agriculture extension officers will help to strengthen the capacity that farmers have in breeding fish. He said the 25 agriculture extension officers drawn from all provinces have been equipped with modern technology to improve fish breeding in the country.

JICA representative Chimba Mulilo said the agency has continued to help the fisheries department improve its infrastructure at various research stations to improve fish production in the country.  Mr Mulilo said fingerings are important to the development of aquaculture in the country, the reason why it supports the training of agriculture extension officers in fish breeding.

Kitwe district commissioner Mwape Kasanda urged the agriculture extension officers to use the knowledge they acquired to teach farmers the best methods of breeding fish.

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