Theseus Shambare in NYANGA
Nestled in Nyanga’s scenic embrace, a trout farm battles climate change and bureaucratic hurdles to deliver its prized delicacy.
The Nyanga Trout, a creature of intricate patterns and occasional golden hues, represents both natural artistry and agricultural potential.
“We produce three products of trout here – the hot smoked trout fillet, the smoked salmon trout, and the fresh fillet.” Tinashe Chapinduka, an aquaculture technician told The Sunday Mail.
These high-value products find their way to both local and international markets.
The journey from egg to fillet is a delicate process.
Each pond, housing 5 000 to 10 000 fish, requires constant grading to ensure uniform size.
Maintaining water temperatures between 8 and 14 degrees Celsius is paramount.
“When temperatures are high, we do not feed the fish,” Chapinduka said, citing the reduced oxygen levels and increased stress.
Climate change casts a long shadow.
“Unfortunately, perhaps owing to the phenomenon of climate change, extreme temperatures of above 23 degrees Celsius have been encountered with worrying regularity,” he lamented.
The farm’s carefully selected brood stock, vital for reproduction, faces increasing challenges.
The meticulous process of spawning, hatching and rearing is demanding.
“We slaughter the fish at this stage because that is the size that is on demand,” said Chapinduka, referring to the “table trout” size.
Despite the rewards, trout farming is fraught with difficulties.
“Most people do not go into trout farming due to limited knowledge,” he said.
Feed shortages and bureaucratic bottlenecks further impede progress.
“We are failing to meet the matured period for the trout. Currently, we are harvesting our trout at around 14 to 15 months,” he said, citing the lack of suitable carnivorous feed and restrictive import policies for trout eggs.
He also highlighted the constant threat of diseases.
Meanwhile, the visit by Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development Deputy Minister Davis Marapira brought a glimmer of hope.
“We are going to assist the farmer. The ministry aims to boost national trout production to over 200 tonnes annually. All this will be addressed by the Fisheries and Aquaculture Bill,” he said.
The Bill, which is waiting to be tabled before Cabinet, seeks to create an enabling environment for fish farming, boost domestic fish consumption and reduce reliance on costly imports, highlighting the untapped potential of Zimbabwe’s numerous water bodies.
He also emphasised the need for modern cooling equipment to mitigate the impact of rising water temperatures.
Deputy Minister Marapira also highlighted the need for assistance from the Environmental Management Agency and the Zimbabwe National Water Authority to address water cleanliness issues.
“Water is being polluted upstream by timber companies and we would need the Agency to act on such activities,” he said, noting the shift from an eight-month harvest to 14-15 months.
He also stressed the need for modern cooling systems to combat rising water temperatures, which have led to significant fish losses.
Despite these challenges, the Nyanga trout farm perseveres.
“It is a perfect tonic for what is an expensive, meticulous and taxing venture that could go awry at any stage with dire consequences,” Chapanduka said.
