Zimpapers Logo

Beitbridge Bureau

ZHOVHE Estate has invested at least R2 million into a fish farming project that will see them producing over 1 000 tonnes of fish annually.

The project, which started late in 2019 is part of the many value addition initiatives at the integrated farms, which has both livestock, crops, milling plants, poultry production and a 30-roomed lodge.

The estate’s director Mrs Saliwe Marema said they started a fish farming project in the dam with a view to enhancing fishing expeditions and exploiting the fish market under Command Fisheries.

She said they had procured the necessary equipment to breed and produce bulky fish, mainly tilapia breams.

Mrs Marema said they were working on a long-term plan that would enhance value addition with the production of many fish products.

“We are looking at realising full potential of the project in the next two years, though projections are that in the first six months we may start producing at least 250 tonnes,” she said.

“Our market base so far is our lodge, local retail shops, and wholesalers in Matabeleland South and Bulawayo provinces. The bigger picture is to penetrate markets across the country and start exporting in the long run.”

Mrs Marema said they put in R1,2 million in setting up the ponds and a hatchery and another R800 000 on ancillary services, including installing 24 breeding cages in the dam and training of staff.

She said though the project was capital intensive, they had mobilised a lot of resources and hired experts in fish farming.

Mrs Marema said so far they had 12 employees focusing on fish farming, but was looking at growing the number to over 70 people by the end of the year.

The official said they decided to venture into the project to enhance Beitbridge economic growth and employment opportunities under the devolution.