By Solister Mogha

Zomba, June 17, Mana: Minister of Natural Resources and Climate Change, Owen Chomanika, on Tuesday launched Kachulu fish landing site, a fish processing facility in Zomba, which is expected to promote fish business along Lake Chilwa.

Launching the facility, Chomanika said post fishing losses have been an issue for years, lamenting that the losses prevented Malawi to reach its 700,000 metric tons demand.

The Minister disclosed that Malawi currently produces 200,000 metric tons, saying this was far than expected.

“This facility will enable fishers to properly clean their fish and package for various markets. Fish industry has potential to grow the country’s economy,” he added.

Chomanika said the Kachulu fish landing site will also allow fishers to keep fresh fish protected as the new facility will have refrigerated space.

Kachulu fish landing site has been constructed under Sustainable Fisheries Aquaculture Development and Watershed Management project with funding from the African Development Bank (AfDB).

Project Coordinator, Robert Kafakoma said the plan to construct the facility was based on fishers’ outcry on post fish harvest losses despite their efforts to avoid losses.

He said the structure provides a better business platform and spur fishing business in the Lake Chilwa area.

“About 15 of these structures have been built across the country and we expect businesses to flourish,” Kafakoma added.

Zomba District Council Chairperson, Councilor Blazio Chinthenga, said the district has greatly benefited from the Sustainable Fisheries, Aquaculture Development, and Watershed Management Project. He expressed hope that more people, especially the youth, will venture into fish selling for economic empowerment.

“The facility will help in processing fish and package to suit all types of markets in and outside the country,” he said.

Sub Traditional Authority, Lamusi hailed government for introducing the project, saying the facility at Kachulu will improve fish business around Lake Chilwa and beyond.

She said fishing is one of the big and fast growing businesses in the area, explaining that lack of  storage and cooling facilities proved setback in the business.

“At least, we have a place where we can prepare our fish and store them before transporting them to various markets.

Kachulu Beach Village Committee (BVC) Ronie Misokwe said the facility will provide fishers an opportunity to properly handle fish and improve quality, as this was one of the factors that affected business.

“This facility will also connect us to various markets across the country. This will also be a reliable fish market,” she added.

Lake Chilwa contributes 20 percent of the fish catches in Malawi such that in 2024 the lake produced about 25,000 metric tons of fish.

About K300 million was used to set the Kachulu facility.