BY SAMUEL NJINGA
As climate change continues to disrupt traditional farming systems across the globe, aquaculture is increasingly emerging as a sustainable livelihood option capable of cushioning rural communities from erratic rainfall, droughts and declining crop yields.
In Masvingo District, a US$100 000 best management practice programme targeting 350 tilapia (bream) farmers is positioning fish farming as a viable economic activity under the global “blue economy” framework.
The initiative, being implemented by Aquaculture Zimbabwe under the FISH4ACP programme, seeks to strengthen fish farming value chains while improving food security and incomes in climate-vulnerable rural communities.
The programme was recently introduced to stakeholders at a meeting held in Masvingo that brought together government officials, technical experts and farmers to map strategies for scaling up aquaculture production in the province.
Zimbabwe, like many countries in Sub-Saharan Africa, is grappling with the effects of climate change that have undermined crop and livestock production. Recurrent droughts, prolonged dry spells and rising temperatures have reduced yields in rain-fed agriculture, forcing communities to diversify livelihoods.
Experts say aquaculture offers a climate-resilient alternative because species such as tilapia thrive in warm water conditions common in many parts of southern Africa.
The FISH4ACP programme is an initiative of the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States aimed at making fisheries and aquaculture value chains in Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific more productive and sustainable while contributing to food security, economic growth and job creation.
The six-month project, which begins with a training-of-trainers programme, is funded by the European Union and German Cooperation through the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), which is the lead implementing partner in Zimbabwe.
Aquaculture Zimbabwe is spearheading the programme in collaboration with FAO and the Government through the Livestock and Fisheries Department under the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development.
Under the initiative, the 350 participating farmers in Masvingo Rural have been organised into 10 clusters of 35 members each to improve coordination, training and knowledge sharing.
Livestock and Fisheries Production Department director Milton Makumbe said the programme seeks to strengthen collaboration among stakeholders involved in aquaculture development in the province.
“The whole essence of the programme is to ensure that we bring together the necessary stakeholders in Masvingo who are embarking on aquaculture so that we can develop a common understanding of how to assist farmers to run aquaculture as a business,” he said.
Makumbe said transforming fish farming into a commercially viable enterprise will help rural communities adapt to the realities of climate change while generating income and improving nutrition.
Aquaculture Zimbabwe director Garikaimose Tongowona said the organisation was pleased to be part of the global initiative aimed at strengthening aquaculture value chains.
“This is a global project and we are happy to be part of it. We have implemented a similar project in Mutasa District. In Mutare we are also setting up a cold chain facility to support post-harvest handling for local fish farmers in Manicaland,” he said.
Tongowona said improved post-harvest systems and better production practices would help reduce losses and ensure farmers access lucrative markets.
Aquaculture Zimbabwe, a local non-governmental organisation formed in 2008, focuses on advancing fisheries and aquaculture development in Zimbabwe, particularly in rural communities where alternative livelihood opportunities are limited.
Globally, aquaculture is one of the fastest-growing food production sectors and is increasingly being promoted as part of climate-smart agriculture strategies.
Research by FAO indicates that Zimbabwe’s aquaculture sector still has vast untapped potential despite growing demand for fish in both rural and urban markets.
Low domestic production has historically forced the country to rely on imports to meet demand, but sector players believe initiatives such as FISH4ACP could help stimulate local production and strengthen value chains.
In addition to income generation, fish farming is also gaining recognition as an important tool in addressing malnutrition by improving access to affordable protein.
As climate change continues to reshape rural economies, programmes that promote sustainable aquaculture could play a crucial role in supporting livelihoods and enhancing food security.
For communities in drought-prone provinces such as Masvingo, the expansion of fish farming represents a strategic shift toward diversified, climate-resilient livelihoods capable of sustaining rural households in an increasingly uncertain climate.