‘Promote value addition in fish industry’
By OLIVER SAMBOKO
THERE is need to diversify and promote value addition in the fish industry if the country is to fully benefit from its aqua resources, says the Small Scale Fish Farmers Association (SSFFA).
Association chairperson, Victor Chatilika said in an interview that without value addition the industry will continue lagging behind in terms of contributing to the economy of the country.
He said fish is a perishable food commodity that require proper handling and preservation to increase its shelf life and retain its quality and nutritional attributes.
Mr Chatilika said through setting up of Fish processing factories, the country will be able to create the much needed jobs for the youths and ensure more investment in the aquaculture subsector.
He said the country has invested a lot of money in the production of fish but that nothing has been put aside to set up factories and plants that will manufacture canned fish.
Mr Chatilika said commitment number six of the Rome Declaration and the World Food Summit Plan of Action promotes optimal allocation and use of public investments in support of value-added fishery products.
He said the promotion of value addition will not only help Small scale fish farmers to improve their income, but also help the country to earn forex through export of Fish.
Mr Chatilika said fisheries industry plays a significant role in the livelihood of citizens in terms of employment, income and provision of principal protein to the diet.
He however, said the industry’s capability to contribute to the growth of the national economy and to effectively help to develop Zambia’s development objective of poverty eradication and wealth creation has been immensely affected due to lack of investment in value addition.
