By Janet Mkonongo

Mzuzu, July 18, Mana: Fisheries Research Officer at Mzuzu Aquaculture Centre, one of the government’s flagship projects, Silvester Jambo, Monday said the centre’s target of 5 Million fingerlings annually is hampered by high cost of feed, and cold weather, among others

 In an interview with Malawi News Agency (Mana) on Thursday, Jambo said the centre only manages to raise a million fingerlings due to the challenges.

“To overcome the weather related challenge, we raise some of the fish for breeding in green houses where the temperatures are warm for continuous breeding.

“Most people take it that green houses are meant for vegetable production, but here, we use them to cover ponds for warm temperature which is vital for fish breeding,” said Jambo.

 He added that the centre has among other innovations fish feed milling machines and constructed large ponds to boost production.

  “The centre has been a beacon of progress since its establishment in 1987 as a research centre in aquaculture, fingerling production and distribution to fish farmers.

“Mostly the research is done in fish breeding, feed formulation, quality and adaptability of fish in different water temperatures to suit effects of climate change and other fisheries scientific areas with results disseminated to fish farmers for adoption,” he said.

 He added that the centres also offer training and advice to fish farmers and that students from various schools visit the place for education purposes whilst other people consider the site as a tourism centre.

According to head of the centre, David Mbamba, aquaculture industry faces challenges due to high cost of feed which he said reduces profit margin for fish farmers.

“Aquaculture requires huge capital investment in construction of the ponds, among others. however, it’s difficult for farmers to access loans from lending institutions because banks are not sure of the returns and feel it’s risky for them to invest their money in fish farming business,” said Mbamba.

He observed that aquaculture contributes 70 percent of animal proteins consumed for balanced nutrition across the country.

“This industry provides opportunity for income generation for communities and individuals,” he said,” he said.

One of the fish farmers from Gesha in Mzuzu City, Evergrace Kachali said buying fingerlings for fishing production from the centre is beneficial since through its extension workers, farmers are visited and advised on fisheries and how to develop into business.

The centre raises assorted types of fish such as, Coptodon redalli(Chilunguni), Oreochromis shiranus (Makumba), Oreochromis karongae (Chambo/Chejumo) and Clarias geriepinus (Mlamba)