06 Jul 2026

Aquaculture holds immense potential in transforming agriculture across Southern Africa. Founder and Managing Director of Charadza Fisheries and Agric Solutions Company in Zimbabwe, Mr Cephas Maritaona said fish farming was no longer an emerging sector but a strategic industry capable of improving food security, creating employment, generating income and supporting sustainable agricultural development.

Speaking at a training on chilli production, turmeric farming and fisheries in Gregas organic farm at Setatse lands near Palapye on Saturday, Mr Maritaona said the training was a good initiative as it gave farmers an opportunity to interact, change ideas and learn from one another.

He said fish farming was growing rapidly globally. Mr Maritaona said fish farming offered high quality protein production, with excellent market demand, efficient feed conversion, high returns on investment, employment creation, import substitution and export opportunities.

He said for many African countries, aquaculture represented one of the most promising solutions to future food security challenges.

Mr Maritaona said aquaculture was not just about raising fish but it was an entire value chain with significant business potential.

He said the selection of species of fish depended on climatic conditions, water availability and market demand, adding that the common species were Nile tilapia, Africa catfish, trout and common carp. 

He and advised farmers to consider the growth rate, feed efficiency, disease resistance, consumer preference and market value when selecting species. 

Meanwhile, Dr Godfrey Marange, who is an agricultural specialist and regional sales manager, also engaged the farmers on turmeric and chili farming using organic crop production methods. 

Dr Marange said cultivating turmeric and chili as cash exports required significant investment, compliance and careful field management. 

For chili production, he advised farmers to grow high demand varieties like African bird’s eye.

He said the two crops (chili and turmeric) have great returns on investment because of the high demand and low production space. 

Dr Marange said turmeric was a medicinal crop with a lot of other uses, as its leaves were used for green tea while the tuber was to make spices, cosmetics, antibiotics face powder and soap. 

Dr Marange said a well-managed hectare of chili could produce harvests for up to two years and was highly sought after by local and international processing companies for sauces and spices. 

He said beyond the kitchen, chili could also be used medicinally or on gardens. He also introduced the farmers to value addition opportunities including processing turmeric into tea, coffee and medicinal product. He called on farmers to embark on organic turmeric and chili farming for export markets. 

Gregas Organic Farm Director, Mr Samuel Kealotswe urged farmers to put acquired skills into practice. Gregas Organic Farm is one of the pioneering group of 24 Batswana farmers selected and contracted to produce organic turmeric for the German market. 

Mr Kealotswe therefore advised farmers to take advantage of the opportunities presented by the Germany market, among others and transition toward commercial organic farming. ENDS