The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the National Institute for Fisheries and Aquaculture Development (IDEPA) launched a programme on Friday, 11 September, in Ngalunde, Marracuene district, Maputo Province, to stock aquaculture production units with 350,000 tilapia fingerlings.
The initiative, titled "Climate-Resilient Aquaculture", aims to strengthen food security, increase household incomes, and help coastal communities respond to the impacts of climate change through sustainable aquaculture.
The 350,000 fingerlings will be distributed to production units in the districts of Marracuene, Boane, Matola, and Matutuíne, accompanied by quality feed. FAO estimates that the initiative could yield production of approximately 100 tonnes of fish.
The programme forms part of the project "Building Resilience in the Coastal Zone through Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EbA) Approaches in the Greater Maputo Area", financed by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and implemented in partnership with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
In Marracuene, where the programme was launched, 15 tanks belonging to seven local producers will be stocked. Beyond the delivery of fingerlings and feed, the project includes training in fish management and processing, the establishment of Rotating Savings and Credit Groups, and the strengthening of local cooperatives.
The approach is designed to ensure that support extends beyond fish production and contributes to the long-term economic sustainability of beneficiary communities.
According to FAO's representative in Mozambique, José Luis Fernandez Filgueiras, investment in sustainable fish farming can create employment, raise rural incomes, and reinforce food security.
"This initiative is not limited to the delivery of inputs; it is about empowering our communities to lead their own adaptation to climate change," he said.
The EbA project covers seven strategic sites along the coastal region and seeks to improve the sustainable management of ecosystems, strengthen the capacity of institutions and communities, and disseminate knowledge on climate resilience and sound environmental practices.
The launch brought together government representatives, international partners, and community leaders, including Maputo Province Governor Manuel Nuvunga Tule, representatives of IDEPA, FAO, and UNEP, as well as district and provincial authorities.
Source: Diário Económico
Original article: https://www.diarioeconomico.co.mz/?p=539833
