By Derrick Silimina
Seven districts are upgrading the fishing sector following the entry of the Zambia Development Agency (ZDA) and cooperating partners to strengthen the industry.
T he ZDA in partnership with ActionAid Zambia, the Department of Fisheries, the ECOFISH Programme, the European Union (EU) and other cooperating partners, is implementing the Zambia Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries Project (ZSSSFP) in seven districts including Kafue and Luangwa districts.
The team is training cooperatives in the fish value chain to equip them with requisite information, skills and resources to run fishing projects as viable and profitable businesses. In the process the team is also creating a platform for cooperatives to gain relevant information and access technical support.
Traditional leaders in Luangwa district of Lusaka Province have welcomed the ongoing development initiatives in their area.
In a joint statement, Senior Chief Mburuma of the Nsenga-Luzi people and Chief Mphuka of the Chikunda people, have welcomed the activities conducted by ActionAid Zambia and the ZDA in their chiefdoms.
Speaking after attending one of the business and entrepreneurship training sessions held by AAZ and the ZDA on how to run fishing as a viable and profitable business venture, Chief Mphuka expressed gratitude for the support rendered to the cooperatives and encouraged his people to be committed if they were to see the desired results.
“We have been crying for development and jobs in our communities and this is one way in which our cries have been answered. Let us embrace the people that are helping to bring development to our communities, utilize the resources and knowledge prudently and show commitment,” said Chief Mphuka.
The traditional leader urged the cooperatives to jealously guard the knowledge and resources given to them as resources were scarce.
The chief said cooperatives were a sure way of creating jobs for the youth and women, thereby improving the standard of life in the communities.
He stressed the need for continued dialogue between traditional leaders and stakeholders for the success of the projects.
He further urged the Kakaro community that received a scale and a booster pump after the training not to abuse the equipment but use it for the intended purpose.
“Time and again, I will be passing through to monitor the use of this equipment and to see how you are implementing the knowledge you have learnt from the training,” added Chief Mphuka.
And Senior Chief Mburuma saluted ActionAid Zambia, Government and the cooperating partners for considering Luangwa District for their interventions in the fishing industry value chain.
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