Fish farmers want support

Fish farmers in Nsanje District have appealed for technical and financial support to boost their trade.

In an interview, Cecilia John from Bitilinyu Village, Traditional Authority Ndamera in the district said she had little knowledge on fish management; hence, wanted capacity building.

“Besides, I need capital to boost my business. I want to supply more fish to Mtowe, Marka, Nsanje and Bangula markets,” she said.

On his part, Mbenje Fish Farming Cooperative chairperson Ulemu Ntchenyera said they wanted to learn how to manage fish amid effects of climate change.

“Food catches are declining in ponds as compared to 10 years ago. This might be a result of climatic changes; hence, the need to learn new technologies in fish management,” he said.

Misheck Juma asked for support to implement value addition to their fish farming.

In a separate interview, Nsanje district fisheries assistant officer Daniel Binga admitted that lack of support and climate change effects were affecting fish farming.

“Some fish die from extreme hot weather in summer, which forces farmers to harvest early,” he said.

Binga asked non-governmental organisations to train farmers in fish management.

The district has 303 fish farmers of whom 155 are women.

Nsanje is one of the districts which experiences floods and dry spells, conditions that make it difficult to grow crops.

As a result, some people rely on fishing in Shire, Ruo and Dinde Rivers.

But just like fish farmers, fishers who depend on natural waters want interventions to sustain their business.

Meanwhile government is implementing a five-year project in 19 districts, including Nsanje to drill fishers in sustainable fishing.