AN OVERVIEW OF THE LARGEST LAND-BASED FISH FARM IN AFRICA – THE KAFUE FISHERIES

Everybody loves to enjoy fish as a protein-based accompaniment to our sumptuous delicacies. But do you know where these fishes come from or how they are reared?

Africa now produces less than 3 per cent of total global fish output. Egypt, Nigeria, Uganda, Ghana, Tunisia, Kenya, Zambia, Madagascar, Malawi, and South Africa are the major aquaculture producers in Africa. Several factors, including capacity building in critical subject areas, embracing good governance, research and development, access to credit facilities, and, most importantly, the promotion of private sector-led aquaculture development, have contributed to this key aquaculture producer’s remarkable growth over the last decade.

The largest land-based fish farm in Africa can be found in Zambia. The Kafue Fisheries, a tilapia fish farm that has existed since 1981 operating on over 120 hectares of the pond area. It is one of the most successful commercial fish farms in Africa. Wondering how it has lasted thus far, let’s get into the success story.

One of the major indices that primarily gave the business a good start was a 12 -month supply of quality water, closer to a major market, a suitable land that will allow for expansion, and a strong mentality of building a business not only a farm. It first occupied a 5-hectare farm with ponds of varied sizes and a hatchery fed through a pump from the near river. In essence, the diversifying farming operations and recycling to increase the sustainable use of land and water resources aided the farm operations in increasing their production and increasing their earnings.

Another major contributing factor to the success of the fish business of Kafue fish farms was that many employees remained on the farm for years. One senior member had stayed all through for 38years. This helped the business to use the rich experiences of these employees to make the business grow.

The three-decade business was successful because at the very beginning they had a ready market supply void of middlemen/women exploitation. The busy food retail shops in the urban housing estates constantly demanded and were prepared to pay for premium prices for larger fish. And even its fingerlings were mainly requested by the small-scale female retailers.

The farm also went ahead to have their hatchery and feeding systems without resorting to other supplies. After thorough research, they came up with a fish feed that will save them a lot of costs and also get the required result they needed for their markets.

Finally, Aquaculture is becoming a more essential source of safe, healthy, and long-term seafood for people all over the world. To keep up with demand, aquaculture production must treble globally by 2030. Increased demand for aquaculture products, as well as concerns about food security and employment development, has resulted in a greater demand for qualified professionals. 

This gives Africa a great opportunity to invest in the sector to see its robust growth.

Lessons to be learned

1. the importance of getting a ready market
2. Research properly about the agribusiness
3. Handle the farm as a business
4. Ensure your experienced employees retain
5. Look out for other sources of income
6. Generate your raw material supply