The Sunday Mail
Theseus Shambare in MAZOWE
AT least 10 000 fingerlings have been produced by students who took part in a catfish production training programme that was facilitated by the Fisheries and Aquaculture Resources Department (FARD).
The three-day training, held at Henderson Research Institute in Mazowe, drew 61 students from across the country, including farmers, feed millers, extension officers and academia.
Over the years, Government has focused on developing the fish farming sub-sector by expanding tilapia fish production through dam-stocking initiatives, and the development of village-based fishponds under the Rural Development 8.0 programme.
Through the partnership with WorldFish — an international aquaculture research and innovation organisation — authorities are now expanding the programme by diversifying into catfish (also known as ‘muramba’ / ‘umulamba’) production.
Training Participants harvesting catfish for breeding at Henderson Research Institute
Said FARD director Mr Milton Makumbe: “We had four WorldFish team members that were training our people. Twenty-four people were getting training in Chitungwiza, while 37 were here at Henderson.
“The training was covering two components: Dr David Olaniyan was training on low-cost feed production, while Dr Suleiman Isa was training on catfish seed production, better management practices and business management.”
The training, he said, had tilapia fish farmers aiming to expand into catfish production and catfish breeding.
“Youths and women are the key beneficiaries of this programme,” added Mr Makumbe.
WorldFish aquaculture compact leader Professor Bernadette Fregene emphasised the need to use African products to make food for African people.
Fish feed contributes 60 to 80 percent of the operating cost of fish farming, hence the need to reduce the cost of fish feed in order to break even.
“If a farmer feeds his fish with imported branded fish feeds, such a farmer may not be able to get a higher profit margin compared to those feeding theirs with locally made fish feeds.
“There is a need to utilise locally accessible resources for fish feed,” said Professor Fregene.
During the practical lessons, participants were taught how to extract semen from the male catfish and mix it with a female egg in a solution before placing it in a hatchery, where, after 24 hours, it was hatched and decanted in a pond.
Through this artificial process, participants produced at least 10 000 fingerlings, which they are going to share among themselves to kick-start their new project.
Next week, extension workers will be training 80 more farmers in catfish production.
