Zimbabwe is shifting gears in its aquaculture sector, launching an ambitious five-year strategy aimed at transforming smallholder fish farming into a competitive, market-driven industry.
Unveiled on March 24, the US$5.03 million Zimbabwe Tilapia Value Chain Market Strategy (2026–2030) is designed to close the country’s fish supply gap while unlocking new income streams for farmers particularly women and youth through value addition, improved market systems, and stronger infrastructure.
Officiating the launch event, Deputy Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, Davis Marapira, highlighted the urgency behind the intervention.
With national demand estimated at 60,000 metric tonnes against local production of just over 35,000 metric tonnes, Zimbabwe continues to rely on imports often cheaper due to high local production costs.
“Aquaculture is no longer viewed as a peripheral activity, it is now recognized as a critical pillar for rural industrialization and employment creation, especially for our youth and women,” Marapira stated.
“The Government has put in place a supportive policy environment, as evidenced by the recent Cabinet-approved reduction in fees and the scraping of 15% VAT on fish products to ensure our local farmers can compete effectively on both the local and regional markets.”he said.
The fisheries unit has been elevated into a broader institutional framework under the Livestock and Fisheries Production Department (LFPD), reflecting government’s intent to integrate aquaculture with wider livestock transformation efforts.
“The Fisheries and Aquaculture Resources Production Department has now been restructured into the Livestock and Fisheries Production Department (LFPD), (Fisheries&Aquaculture Division- Livestock & Fisheries Production Dept, Zim), with an expanded mandate that goes beyond aquaculture to also encompass livestock production,” Marapira revealed.
“Just as we are modernizing aquaculture and tilapia farming, we want to see the same transformation in beef and small stock. By strengthening value chains and building competitive markets, this department will ensure that our livestock sector also flourishes.”
He said a major focus of the strategy is moving farmers beyond selling raw fish to tapping into higher-value markets. Plans include introducing standardized packaging, strengthening traceability systems for food safety, and promoting processing into fillets, smoked fish, and ready-to-cook products.
Infrastructure development also takes center stage, with investments earmarked for aggregation hubs and cold-chain systems such as the Mutare Cold Room Unit, aimed at reducing post-harvest losses and improving market access.
The initiative is backed by international partners, including the European Union and Germany’s Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, with technical support from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).
FAO Deputy Representative, Louis Muhigirwa, described the strategy as a catalyst for inclusive economic growth, noting its potential to uplift communities already active in fingerling production.
Meanwhile, Agricultural Marketing Authority Chief Executive Officer, Ms. Alice Mapfiza, underscored the importance of coordination across the value chain.“Informed by market studies and stakeholder consultations, this strategy addresses major constraints across the value chain, including limited access to quality fingerlings and feed, inadequate cold-chain infrastructure, and weak coordination,” Ms. Mapfiza said.
“As the mandated regulatory body, AMA is committed to coordinating all stakeholders to ensure we achieve measurable outcomes and build a competitive, climate-resilient tilapia industry, ”she added.
With over 8,000 active fish farmers in the country, the strategy is positioned as a key driver toward a projected US$1 billion aquaculture industry by 2030, aligning with Zimbabwe’s broader development agenda.
Closing the event, Director of the Livestock and Fisheries Production Department, Milton Tinashe Makumbe, called for urgency and collaboration in implementing the plan.
“This strategy is the continuation of a vision that began with visiting farmers and launching our first fish ponds; we are now moving beyond just production to secure the marketplace,” Makumbe noted.
He added, “We must now turn this blueprint into tangible action. I urge our financial partners and the private sector to join us in building a resilient industry that ensures no fish farmer is left behind in our journey toward standardization and market integration.”
