tIMOTHY KAMANGA IS NOW A COMMERCIAL FISH FARMER AND HE SAYS AVCP PROJECT WAS A KEY TO SUCCESS

Story from Action for Sustainable Development (ASUD)Author:  Caleb Ngwira: Field Officer

Aquaculture value chain project (AVCP) was implemented in a number of villages in the northern region of Malawi and one of the villages in which this project was implemented is Pundu village T/A Timbiri in Nkhata-bay district from 2019. It has been a great positive impact on the lives of people in this area. Timothy Kamanga is one of the beneficiaries of this project. Timothy Kamanga said, “He learnt about this project through a friend who is one of the members of Kanunkha fish farmers club. He had been admiring the coaching session conducted by ASUD under COFAD/GIZ AVCP Project until he made an inquiry. He was encouraged and later joined the club in 2021.He was able to attend coaching sessions although some training sessions was already been conducted, he was encouraged and managed to construct his own fish pond of 400m2. He was following all the lessons during coaching sessions; he also managed to apply lime, manure, fish feed, record keeping, harvesting and marketing e.tc. His first harvest was in September 2022 and he harvested 100kgs of fish. After selling he made k300, 000.He was able to buy 4 pigs which helps him to obtain manure to support his fish farming, He has also managed to buy 2 bags of fertilizer for this season and he is able to pay school fees for his grandchild. Timothy Kamanga is thankful and grateful for being part of the project which was implemented by GIZ/ COFAD through ASUD. He is successful with the project despite joining while it was in progress.He concluded that he is concerned about the ending of the project in his area, as itwill be a challenge to have frequent extension services,he promised to keep working hard and encourage other people as well.