This is the largest integrated tilapia farm in Sub-Saharan Africa. According to Fish Information Services, “the AfDB will make sure the project continues to abide by international good practices on environmental and social management”.
LHA is expected to produce 20,000 tonnes of fish annually by 2015, including fresh and frozen products. Annual tilapia output is currently 2,500 tonnes. The company is targeting African markets, and Zimbabwe is expected to take up 37% of production.
Another 50% will go to markets in the Southern African region, while Europe is expected to absorb the remaining 13%. The project is expected to create more than 900 new jobs. It will also add to government revenues, regional trade and integration, foreign exchange generation and enhanced food security in Zimbabwe and neighbouring countries.
This project is considered by many experts as a role model for sustainable fish farming on the continent. LHA does not use chemicals or pharmaceuticals during on-growing to either promote growth or control disease. “We feed our fish a balanced, almost wholly vegetarian, diet that is made on site under our own supervision. The feed is cereal-based and contains no GMO crops. The small proportion of fish-meal is sourced from a sustainable fishery. It is our intent to completely phase out the fish-meal and this is currently being researched,” says the company.
Post published in: News