Mr. Charles Maguswi, Deputy Director Aquaculture, presented an overview of the current status of aquaculture in Zambia. He mentioned that the National Development Programme had always given high priority to the development of the fisheries sector including aquaculture. Support had mainly focused on the rural areas to ensure self sufficiency in their food supply.
Zambia had favourable conditions for the development of aquaculture as it had abundant land, suitable temperatures, and good soils and rainfall in many areas. Between 1988 and 1994 the fish production from aquaculture had increased from 1000 tons to 4000 tons. This production was attained by 10,000 fish farmers, of which the majority were small scale farmers. Around 25 commercial enterprises were engaged in fish farming in Zambia. Mr. Maguswi mentioned that improved extension methods and the collaboration between the Departments of Agriculture and Fisheries made the increase in fish production possible, whilst the current drought situation had an adverse effect.
The productivity of the fish ponds ranged from 0.3 to 10 tons/ha/yr. with most farmers practising extensive to semi intensive management.
The main constraints in further development of aquaculture were stated as: lack of appropriate extension material, lack of adequate training for staff, and lack of mobility of extension staff.
Mr. Maguswi described the support from the various organisations for aquaculture development encouraging, but also mentioned the lack of coordination between the activities of the different projects. He said that the responsibility of this coordination lay with the department and saw the seminar as a way to improve this coordination.
