14 Aug 2022

Fish farming is the responsibility of the Ministry of Agriculture although the mandate for inland fisheries lies with the Ministry of Environment and Tourism, says Minister Fidelis Molao.

Mr Molao noted that the aquarium culture function was transferred to the Ministry of Agriculture from the then Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources Conservation and Tourism in October 2017.

He pointed out that the Ministry of Agriculture promoted fish production through technical advice, training, demonstration and provision of fish fingerlings. "Government facilitates technically the establishment of fish farms by providing fish farming advice to fish farmers through extension service, training and supply of fish fingerlings that are produced at the government fish hatchery in Mmadinare," said the minister.

He, however, said the Ministry of Environment and Tourism was concerned with conservation of fish in natural water bodies. He said the fish hatchery at Mmadinare was not functional at the moment, and that a tender for the rehabilitation of the hatchery would be awarded and breeding would commence after completion of the rehabilitation.

Mr Molao also noted that 10 fish farms were currently operational ranging from backyard to commercial scale. He said the farms were located in Kasane, Leshibitse, Gabane, Gaborone Phase 4, Francistown, Kumakwane, Sebina, Ghanzi and Chadibe near Francistown.

"The performance of most of these farms is facing challenges like lack of funding, high inputs costs, lack of locally produced inputs including fish feeds, limited fish farming technical know how, lack of subsidies especially for inputs and starter packs," said the minister.

Mr Molao also said the genetic of farmed fish in Botswana remained a challenge since the preferred exotic fish species could not be farmed in the sensitive ecological zone of Botswana. He said the mini fish hatchery that would be established in Shakawe would serve to genetically improve indigenous fish species.

He said the Shakawe project would be completed in the 2022/23 financial year. Okavango MP, Mr Kenny Kapinga had asked the minister to state which government department or institution was responsible for inland fish farming, and whether the current arrangement was conducive to coordinated efforts in ensuring the success of fish farming.

He also wanted to know how many fish farms had been established with the assistance of government.ends