By Chisomo Phiri
Minister of Natural Resources and Climate Change, Owen Chomanika, has sounded the alarm on the country’s dwindling fish production, stressing the need for intensified efforts and investments in aquaculture.
Speaking at the Aquaculture Investment Forum in Lilongwe on Thursday, Chomanika emphasized aquaculture’s critical role in achieving Malawi’s 2063 development agenda.
The minister painted a stark picture of the current state of fish production in the country, noting that fish has become a luxury for many Malawians.
“Just a few years ago, fish was an affordable source of protein, but now it’s out of reach for many,” said Chomanika.
He revealed that the country’s aquaculture sector currently produces around 10,000 metric tons of fish annually, with ambitious plans to scale up production to 100,000 metric tons by 2030.
Chomanika underscored the importance of prioritizing industries like aquaculture to drive economic growth, address food security concerns, and improve livelihoods.
His sentiments were echoed by Dr. Zewdy Gebremedhin of the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ), who expressed the donor community’s willingness to collaborate and support the sector’s revitalization.
The forum brought together key stakeholders, including Napoleon Dzombe of Mtalimanja Holdings, Paul Kwengwere of the Malawi Investment and Trade Centre (MITC), and Alfred Tsitsi of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Malawi.
Under the theme “Harnessing Aquaculture Potential for Sustainable Livelihoods and National Economic Growth in Malawi,” the event explored strategies to strengthen the sector, enhance production, and attract local and international investments.
