Fish farmers in Mzimba District have expressed excitement after receiving basic training in fish husbandry practices, climate-smart aquaculture and fish feed production.
The training was conducted on Sunday by the Mzimba District Fisheries Office in collaboration with Action for Sustainable Development (ASUD).
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Mzimba, District Fisheries Officer, Andrew Saukani, said the training was part of the Sustainable Aquatic Food Systems project being implemented by GIZ in 18 districts across Malawi, including Mzimba.
“GIZ is implementing the project as a build-up to aquaculture value chain initiatives. It aims to build the capacity of fish farmers at different levels of the value chain and to increase fish production through hatcheries,” said Saukani.
Saukani added that the Department of Fisheries is pleased to work with NGOs to boost fish production in Mzimba.
“These trainings complement our efforts to provide farmers with a full extension package that guarantees improved productivity and contributes to household nutrition and food security,” he said.
He further noted that the project aligns with the new Mzimba District Development Plan (DPP), which seeks to increase annual fish harvests from the current 7,000 metric tonnes to 20,000 metric tonnes.
One of the farmers, Jonathan Nyirenda, who attended the training at Manyamula Extension Planning Area (EPA), described the lessons as timely and practical.
“This training has come at the right time, especially as fish farmers struggle with the high cost of feed. Through this initiative, we have learned how to produce our feed, which will greatly reduce the expenses of fish farming,” Nyirenda said.
He further commended the project for commissioning fingerling production ponds at Manyamula with a capacity of 20,000 fingerlings, saying this will make fingerlings more accessible and affordable for farmers, encouraging more people to join the fish farming business.
Another farmer, Fackson Manda, chairperson of Katolonji Club in Chikangawa, also hailed the initiative.
“Most farmers lack training in fish farming, which affects the success of their ventures. These trainings refresh our knowledge and guide us on best practices, including how climate-smart approaches can improve fish farming. As new members join our club regularly, such capacity-building programs are essential,” Manda said.
So far, the project has reached 92 farmers in four EPAs—Manyamula, Kazomba, Chikangawa, and Zombwe.
ASUD Project Officer, Bahat Kapito, applauded the farmers for their commitment to the training sessions, noting that their active participation will make it easier to achieve the project’s targets.
“This project aims to support fish farmers to scale up their businesses. So far, we have trained 92 out of the 188 farmers targeted under the initiative. Beyond these trainings, we will also provide coaching through direct farm visits to monitor and encourage the adoption of new technologies,” said Kapito.
