FAO representative to Zambia George Okech said the national aquaculture development strategy (NADS) and national aquaculture development plan (NADP) will stimulate growth in the aquaculture sector, reports ZambiaDailyMail.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock says it is optimistic that once implemented, the strategy and plan will help create over 3,000 permanent jobs, increase production capacity to between 45,000 and 60,000 metric tonnes by 2030 in the sector.
Mr Okech said the FAO will continue complementing Government efforts by mobilising resources for the attainment of developmental goals as defined in the plan and strategy.
Mr Okech said this in a speech read for him by FAO programme coordinator Mtendere Mphatso during a review of the NADP recently.
“The plan, and therefore, the strategy will serve its purpose only when properly and fully implemented. Its implementation will require over $19.51 million or more than K123.8 million from the public purse over the next six years, in addition to private sector investment.
“FAO is firmly convinced that a full and proper implementation of this plan will result in, inter alia, increased food and nutrition security, poverty alleviation through decent employment and revenue generation, especially for rural families and the youth and in the country’s economic growth while reducing the volume of money spent on imported fish,” he said.
Earlier, Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock deputy minister Maxus Ng’onga said the plan will help producers participate more in the development and management of the sector.
Mr Ng’onga said the strategy provides an opportunity for both the public and private sector to positively contribute to the growth of the economy.
He also said there is need for aquaculture to be sustainable, feasible, profitable and environmentally-friendly if the sector is to be recognised.
“To be successful, aquaculture development must concentrate on high potential areas where specific aquaculture production systems are matched with available resources,” Mr Mtonga said.
