By Stanley Nkhondoyachepa
Nkhotakota, Mana: Enhanced Public Works Programme (EPWP) beneficiaries at Dema catchment, Traditional Authority (TA) Kanyenda in Nkhotakota, were on Tuesday all over the moon after harvesting the first catch of fish from the pond constructed under the programme.
In an interview after the harvest, Catchment Chairperson, Moven Chikuse said the outcome of their hard work was cause for celebration for the beneficiaries.
“We harvested 116 kilogrammes which we sold at K2, 000 per Kg and have banked part of the income, while the remainder will be loaned to members through village bank so that we multiply it,” he disclosed.
Chikuse said the project was a success to the people in the area, observing besides realizing money, and fish from the pond would improve the nutrition status of people in the community.
According to the Chairperson, his catchment would source more Fingering to extend the pond and realize more profits in future.
Chairman for the Pond, Danford Dzimbiri he hopes more benefits would be realized as the community continues to expand production.
He said the group had decided to give loans from the proceeds to community members as a way of multiplying the money which they intend to reinvest in the project expansion.
“If they continue, these projects are likely to change the economic status of the communities besides encouraging climate smart agriculture,” Dzimbiri observed.
Nkhotakota District Council Liaison Officer, Steven Matemba hailed Dema for the success and called on other catchments to emulate the example.
“It’s encouraging to see how the communities are organizing themselves and venture into fish farming under the EPWP.”
“You know fish is a good source of proteins and besides, people get income from the sales” he said.
EPWP was piloted in 10 districts across the country with the dual objective of strengthening household resilience to shocks of climate change and creating durable community assets.