By JUDITH NAMUTOWE –
GIVEN that more than one billion people rely on fish as their primary source of protein, most of them located in developing countries, farming is often an attractive practice to them, as it supplies food and jobs.
In fact, global fish exportation now earns more money per year than any other food commodity and this means that there is money to be made and job positions to be filled.
For example in Zambia fish production is important to the national economy and contributes significantly to employment, income and food production.
The importance of fish in Zambian household food expenditure increases in proportion with increasing levels of poverty.
The fisheries industry contributes about one per cent to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), with more than 300,000 fishers, fish farmers and processors.
Unfortunately, this sub sector of agriculture has not been fully exploited thus compelling Zambia to import fish from China and yet the country has vast water.
There are several water bodies whose fish stocks have been depleted due to poor fishing methods.
While this is a small percentage, fisheries are crucial to Zambia’s rural economy as a source of income and food.
Zambia has nine major fisheries in Lake Bangweulu, Kariba, Tanganyika, Itezhi-tezhi, Lake Mweru, Mweru-wantipa, Kafue River, Zambezi River and Lukanga River.
The current national demand for fish is estimated at 120,000 tonnes per annum but the local supply is  about 70,000 tonnes leaving a deficit of 50,000 tonnes which is met through imports.
Fish, consumed as food and a source of protein, is an important part of many Zambians’ livelihood.
Regardless of its significance to the country’s economy, the sub-sector has not been fully exploited.
Lake Bangweulu is one of the massive water bodies investors have failed to take advantage of.
However, Kambashi Bream Fisheries Limited located at Santa Maria Mission about 17 kilometres from Chilubi Island has come on board to establish fish ponds and pens on the coast of Lake Bangweulu in Northern Province.
Kambashi Fisheries is an initiative of Euro Africa Bus proprietor Robert Chomba, who owns 50 per cent shares, two foreign investors with 30 per cent and Santa Maria Mission, which holds 20 per cent shares in addition to the land.
Company junior supervisor Gerald Lungu says the hatchery facility comprises of 31 fish ponds out of which 10 are breeding ponds, 10 holding ponds, and five grow-out ponds, while the rest are dams with eight fish pens on the lake.
Of the three dams, one is a research dam which the company is using to promote domestic species such as imbowa and tiger fish.
Other breeds include the green head and red breasted bream. Apart from the eight fish pens, the company further has 15 suspended fish cages on the lake.
The company’s main objective is to supplement Government’s efforts in empowering the local community to alleviate poverty and promote organic foods.
“We expect that this will help reduce poverty among the people in Chilubi and further reduce pressure on Government in as far as creating job opportunities is concerned,” Mr Lungu says.
He says the company has so far invested over K2 million to set up fish ponds and pens on the Lake.
The company which started its fish farming business in 2012 is further scouting for K8 million to establish a fish processing plant in the area.
It   also intends to buy a fish feed manufacturing equipment to cut down on input costs.
“We have so far invested more than K2 million to set up the existing fish ponds and fish pens and we are still investing,  we need over K8 million to set up a fish processing plant, cold rooms and bring in the fish manufacturing machinery,” he says.
The company has engaged a Siavonga-based firm, Yalelo Fresh Zambian Fisheries, as its technical partner to train 26 workers on fish farming.
Depending on the labour demand, the company engages casual workers up to a maximum of 45 when it comes to excavating the ponds considering that the ponds are done manually.
Mr Lungu says the company has also invested in solar power considering the power outages the country is faced with.
Two water pumps to help manage water which they pump from the lake to areas of need have been acquired.
Kambashi will continue to invest and expand its business with the view of encouraging people to take advantage of many untapped opportunities on the lake.