SADC Deputy Executive Secretary Highlights Potential of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development During Visit to Malawi’s LUANAR
Ms. Angele Makombo N’tumba, the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Deputy Executive Secretary Responsible for Regional Integration, underscored the immense potential for the development of fisheries and aquaculture businesses in the SADC region during her working visit to the Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (LUANAR) in Malawi on February 8th, 2024.
Ms. N’tumba emphasized that the SADC region is richly endowed with vast water bodies and abundant aquatic resources, providing a conducive environment for the growth of fisheries and aquaculture sectors.
LUANAR, serving as a strategic partner to the SADC Secretariat, actively participates in the SADC Regional Training Programme on Transformation of Aquaculture, Fish Processing, and Value Addition (AquaTrans).
This program aims to facilitate knowledge and skills sharing among stakeholders to enhance capacity in fish farming technologies, post-harvest processing, and commercialization.
Acknowledging LUANAR’s pivotal role in promoting sustainable development in the region, particularly in fisheries and aquaculture, Ms. N’tumba highlighted the university’s contributions to evidence-based decision-making and knowledge exchange in these sectors.
She commended LUANAR’s management of the AquaTrans training course, supported by the New Partnership for Africa Development – Southern Africa Network for Biosciences (NEPAD-SANBio) BioFISA II Programme, for bolstering expertise in the region.
Dr. Agnes Mwangwela, LUANAR’s Deputy Vice Chancellor, emphasized Malawi’s historical involvement in coordinating inland fisheries and aquaculture functions during SADC’s decentralization period.
She lauded LUANAR’s efforts as a key stakeholder in aquaculture training and research, highlighting the institution’s role in strengthening sustainable aquaculture development and management.
Dr. Mwangwela stressed LUANAR’s commitment to enhancing fish value chains for nutrition, food security, and economic development, with a focus on job and wealth creation, poverty reduction, and increased regional trade.
During the visit, Ms. N’tumba received presentations from various faculties on their curriculum covering aquaculture, fisheries, fish health and diseases, and aquatic health.
Additionally, she toured the university’s fishponds to gain firsthand insight into fish production processes and the integrated aquaculture system.
Ms. N’tumba’s visit to LUANAR signifies SADC’s commitment to fostering collaboration with academic institutions to harness the region’s fisheries and aquaculture potential, paving the way for sustainable development and prosperity in Southern Africa.
