Malven Mugadzikwa
In a significant move towards sustainable development, Zimbabwe is working on a strategy that shapes the future of its Blue Economy, focusing on the country’s fisheries and aquatic resources.
With support from the African Union Commission and the Southern African Development Community (SADC), stakeholders gathered for a three-day National Stakeholders’ Consultation and Validation Workshop for the National Blue Economy Strategy in Harare.
Speaking during the event, Lands, Agriculture, Water, Fisheries and Rural Development Permanent Secretary, Professor Obert Jiri said the concept of the Blue Economy was a transformative approach that recognised the ocean, rivers and lakes as valuable resources that can drive economic growth while ensuring the sustainability of the ecosystems.
“For Zimbabwe, a landlocked country endowed with numerous lakes and rivers, the Blue Economy presents a unique opportunity.
“It can fuel our economic growth, create jobs, enhance food security, and foster innovations that protect our environment,” said Prof Jiri.
Prof Jiri said in 2021 his ministry was given a mandate to preside over the development of fisheries, a responsibility they share with the Ministry of Environment, Climate and Wildlife.
“This decision was in line with Government’s priority to ensure food and nutrition security in Zimbabwe.
“The potential for fisheries and aquaculture for Zimbabwe is immense, we are endowed with over 10 700 dams nationally, which presents a unique opportunity for the country to grow the fisheries and aquaculture sub-sectors,” said Prof Jiri.
Prof Jiri said President Mnangagwa has set a vision for the country to be a prosperous and empowered upper-middle income society, adding that this development is being driven by the agriculture sector.
He said the National Blue Economy Strategy for Zimbabwe will come in as an implementation tool for the National Development Strategy and the Agriculture Food Systems and Rural Transformation Strategy.
“It is critical that these strategies be aligned at continental, regional and national level.
“The strategy should also be aligned to other sectorial strategies like the Draft Agrobiodiversity Policy Framework and National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) which also seek to ensure the sustainable utilisation of fisheries and aquatic resources.
“As we embark on this journey to develop a National Blue Economy Strategy, our vision must be clear: we envision a Zimbabwe where our aquatic resources are managed sustainably for the benefit of all communities, where biodiversity thrives alongside human activity, and where economic opportunities abound without compromising the health of our ecosystems.”
He underscored the need for collaboration for the success of the Blue Economy Strategy.
“Blue Economy is not just a Government initiative; it requires a concerted effort from all sectors of society.
“Together, we can harness our collective knowledge to develop innovative approaches that promote sustainable resource management and economic resilience,” he said.
Zimbabwe is currently implementing various programmes and projects for fisheries and aquaculture production.
In 2023, the Government ushered in Rural Development 8.0 which is a combination of outcome-oriented interventions that are aimed at increasing food production, climate resilience and resilient livelihoods in Zimbabwe.
The Presidential Community Fisheries Scheme is one such intervention under Rural Development 8.0.
This scheme is aimed at improving access to affordable protein at the household level while enabling commerce from the sale of surplus production. It entails the establishment of villages, schools and ward fishponds, with two per site.
To aid this scheme, five fingerling production centres are being established at strategic locations to service the entire country.
