Malawi fails to meet fish demand

Fish production remains low relative to total fish consumption in the country at approximately 182 110 tonnes despite efforts promoting production, an aquaculture survey has shown.

In 2020, Malawi produced 9 399 tonnes of fish, up from 813 tonnes in 2005, Mwapata Institute data has shown.

In its recently published Mwapata Aquaculture Survey, the institute observes that this is despite the sector presenting an opportunity to enhance rural household incomes and nutrition and contribute towards the national agriculture diversification drive as laid out in the Malawi 2063 agenda.

Reads the survey in part: “Though Malawi has historically relied on capture fisheries to meet domestic demand for fish, wild fish populations are now under stress. Moreover, demand for animal protein, including fish, is expected to double by 2050 due to population growth and rising incomes.

“Aquaculture can play a key role in meeting this demand. Small-scale fish farmers in Malawi face a number of challenges, such as lack of access to high-quality feed, lack of markets for inputs and equipment, poor environmental conditions and climate change and  lack of access to well-structured markets and market information.”

To foster aquaculture growth in Malawi, the institute has since emphasised on the need to develop policies and strategies that would help incentivise private sector investment in production of floating fish feed and private sector investment in production of floating fish feed and strengthen existing farmers associations.

The 2022 Malawi Government Annual Economic Report shows that in 2021, Malawi generated K187.3 billion from fish from the sale of 173 480 metric tonnes in 2021, an increase of 1.5 percent from the previous year.

The report said in terms of catch composition, usipa was the dominant fish species that contributed the largest share at 58 percent of the total catch.

This was followed by utaka, kambuzi, mlamba and ncheni which accounted for 11 percent, five percent, three percent and two percent, respectively, a development an agricultural expert says calls for the need for the country to enhance monitoring in the sector.

The trend, according to agriculture policy expert Tamani Nkhono Mvula, speaks volumes of Malawi’s missed opportunity due to poor monitoring systems in terms of fish production and sources.

In an earlier interview, he said there are a lot of fish coming from various sources that are not captured in the formal figures.

Nkhono said: “Malawi has a huge potential in as far as fisheries is concerned but our monitoring systems do not capture the accurate figures.

“Over the past five years, there has been an increase in in-cage farming which has increased production of some fish and revenues from various types of fish.”

Department of Fisheries director Friday Njaya is on record as having observed that government has instituted several measures, including the introduction of a vessel monitoring system on Lake Malawi, reviewing fishing regulations and enhancing fish quality through the adoption of better fish processing facilities such as solar rent driers.

The fish industry remains a crucial sector in the country as besides generating revenue for the country, it contributes about 70 percent of the dietary animal protein intake of Malawians and 40 percent of the total protein supply.

Meanwhile, the government is projecting that  fish production will increase from the current 173 480 metric tonnes to 178 684 MT and 182 258 MT in 2022 and 2023, and this will translate to increased projected accrued monetary value of K194.8 billion, and K200.5 billion, respectively.”