By Mercy Botha

Mzimba, March 19, Mana: Fish farmers in Mzimba District have expressed concern on exorbitant fish feed prices saying it is crippling the growth of fish farming business.

The farmers expressed the worries on Monday during a learning tour of Viphya Chambo Fisheries and Mzuzu Aquaculture Centre in Mzuzu.

The tour, organized by Farmers Union of Malawi (FUM) Mzimba Chapter and M’mbelwa District Council’s Department of Fisheries, was aimed at exposing farmers to the benefits of fish farming and provide them with hands-on experience and knowledge on how to grow fish, feed and manage them.

A fish farmer, William Kachale, from Traditional Authority (TA) M’mbelwa said he usually uses locally made fish because of the costs associated with raising fish.

“The locally made feed is of poor standard and affects growth of fish from the ponds  because standard fish feed on the market is costly at K59,000 per 25 kilogram bag for starters and K49,000 per 25 kilogram bag growers.

“We have learned that standardized feed is vital for fish production. As such, we call upon government for sustainable and affordable feed solutions to support growth of aquaculture industry in the country,” he said.

Another farmer from Mzimba, Mercy Nyirenda, expressed enthusiasm for fish farming but said the cost of feed is frustrating to most fish farmers.

“I’ve learned that fish feed is crucial for healthy and fast-growing fish, and I am eager to start using the high-quality feed in my fish farming endeavor. We appeal for reduced prices for us to be able to buy,” she said.

Deputy Director of Fisheries for Northern Region, David Mbamba, said fish farmers' challenges in accessing feed for their fingerlings will soon be a thing of the past as the region will start producing feed at Mzuzu Aquaculture Centre.

Mzuzu Aquaculture Centre has a capacity of producing 40 tonnes of feed per day.

Mbamba said despite fish farming being a lucrative venture that has the potential to generate a lot of money, exorbitant prices for fish feed is pushing a lot of farmers out of the trade.

“Having feed for fish is crucial, and we are committed to supporting farmers in accessing high-quality feed.

“We have the machinery but we lack other resources necessary to start producing the feed. So, we are negotiating with government to help us with resources needed in producing feed so that we start producing,” he said.

 Managing Director for Viphya Chambo Cooperative, Florence Mwangonde, commended the farmers for considering integrative farming and encouraged them to take up fish farming, citing its numerous benefits.

In an interview, Mwangonde pointed out the high cost of fish feed and weather as the most common challenges affecting fish farming.

She said fish feed is expensive because there are not enough companies producing fish feed which has resulted in farmer using locally made feed.

Team Leader for Mzimba Farmers Association, John Pemba, said they decided to embark on the tour to learn some tips for raising fish.