The Aquaculture Enterprise (AE) has disclosed that its main aim is to promote fish farmers in the country so that in the end they become sustainable by operating as businesses rather than subsistence activities.
At present it is supporting 20 fish farmers who are commercially motivated and prepared to adopt an entrepreneurial approach to pond aquaculture. A further group of fish farmers will be added to the existing one for the second year of production.
Speaking to the Malawi News Agency (Mana) at its offices located in Likhubula Plot No. 743, off Michiru Road, Abudala Napuru, Project Technical Manager, said it was the aim of the enterprise to make the farmers sustainable and financially independent.
“It was the aim of AE to explore the potential for commercial fish farming in Zomba, Chiradzulu and Thyolo by developing an input supply and technical support partnership to manage project activities and operate as a social enterprise,” said Napuru.
He added that the three year project which started in May 2013 expects to have 20 farmers in year one, two and three with assistance from a loan fund managed by the Microloan Foundation.
“The farmers in the said districts are benefiting from the trainings that we conduct here on business management and aquaculture management even on sales and marketing techniques. The feed is bought from the Malawi’s Agrifeeds Limited.
“We have so far developed internet skills for these fish farmers aimed at enabling them to acquire the know-how and understanding through modern technology what fish farming is comprises and the care that needs to be given so that they produce more and good quality fish.
“There are of course, many tips we have and we are investing in these small-scale businesses by providing extension services in addition to trainings.
“Transferring key husbandry, management and marketing skills to farmers through training, mentoring and management of the project loan scheme as a revolving fund are some of the key factors we are having in place to create sustainability amongst the fish farmers,” he said.
The farmers in Thyolo, Chiradzulu and Zomba are growing Orechromis shirinus in their ponds.
AE is one of the 15 projects launched in 2013 with funding from the Scottish Government’s Malawi Development Programme and has five partners- the Scotland Malawi Business Group, the Institute of Aquaculture Stirling University, Microloan Foundation, Umodzi Consulting and theMpatsa Trust.
