FISH FARMERS MAY NOT PAY BACK LOANS

By NOEL IYOMBWA

SOME fish farmers in some parts of the country who procured loans underthe Zambia Aquaculture Enterprise Development (ZAED) project through the Citizens Economic Empowerment Commission (CEEC)willnot find it easy to pay back the loans.

This is because they were banned from producing exotic fish and only allowed the breeding of indigenous fish which are not profitable as they take long to grow.

A Chitambo based fish farmer, Bonaventure Mulaushi explained that the breeding of local breed has been a challenge for farmers.

Mr. Mulaushi explained that growing local fish species has not been easy because it does not mature early and the size of the fish is not good for the market.

Another farmer Nicolas Kabamba also explained that the decision not to allow the breeding of Niloticus which is Nile bream an early maturing breed in some parts of the country will have a negative impact on fish farmers who benefited from ZAED project.

Mr Kabamba said the move was a drawback to fish farmer specially those who benefited from ZAED project.

He said while some commercial fish farmers are allowed to breed the exotic fish species, some small-scale fish farmers are not allowed to breed the exotic species.

He noted that Nile Bream Niloticus can be an important aquaculture species in Zambia because of its fast growth and moderate reproduction, the reason why commercial farmers have selected it for farming.

"In the past, Peace Corps also promoted this fish, but switched to the promotion of native species except in some parts of Southern Province. We are only allowed to breed indigenous breeds which are late maturing species, "he said.

Another fish farmer who is a beneficiary of ZAED project in Central province project and opted not to be named said that it is unfortunate that some big companies are producing the very fish which is banned, while small scale fish farmers are banned from growing the fish.

He said that as long as the country follows this route, it may not realise what it wants for the sector.

He said that if the restriction should be fair, it should be across the country than restricting others to make profit.

Mr. Kabamba noted that fish farming demands high rate of turnover oftwo cycles a year but with the current situation this does not happen.

Hesaid that fish farmers who benefited from ZAED project are interested in makingprofits and pay back the loans.

Recentlya Kasama based Agricultural economist and fish farmer, Dr. Faustin

Mwape, explained to President Hakainde Hichilema the need to end the selective ban on farming of Niloticus tilapia and other early maturing fish species to enable all provinces to participate in wealth creation.

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