Zimbabwe launches consultative process to develop environmental and biosecurity guidelines for small-scale tilapia farmers

Harare, Zimbabwe – Stakeholders in Zimbabwe’s aquaculture sector convened last week for an inception meeting to initiate the development of environmental and biosecurity guidelines for small-scale tilapia farming. The initiative aims to strengthen environmental stewardship, food safety and disease prevention measures in support of a more resilient and competitive aquaculture value chain.

The process is led through the FISH4ACP programme, an initiative of the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS), implemented by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) with funding from the European Union and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). Technical coordination and drafting support is being provided with the Zimbabwe Environmental Law Organisation (ZELO), in close collaboration with the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development (MLAFWRD), the Ministry of Environment, Climate and Wildlife, and the Zimbabwe Fish Producers Association, with participation from development partners, farmer organisations and research institutions.

Opening the meeting, Patrice Talla, FAO Subregional Coordinator for Southern Africa and FAO Representative to Zimbabwe, underscored the importance of science-based biosecurity and environmental management for safeguarding aquatic animal health and protecting shared natural resources. “FAO brings significant experience from across the region in developing biosecurity guidelines, good management practices and aquatic animal health strategies,” he said. “In Zimbabwe, our partnership under the FISH4ACP programme has already strengthened hatchery systems, value chains and farmer skills. These efforts demonstrate the importance of clear, practical guidance developed jointly with stakeholders.”

Government ministries welcomed the consultative process, emphasizing the role of aquaculture in nutrition, rural livelihoods and employment, as well as the value of coordinated efforts between agriculture and environment authorities. In remarks delivered on his behalf, Permanent Secretary in MLAFWRD, Obert Jiri, stressed that “robust biosecurity and strong environmental stewardship are prerequisites for unlocking investment, improving productivity and ensuring the longevity of shared water resources on which aquaculture depends.” He cautioned that “a single breach in biosecurity can have catastrophic consequences,” highlighting the need for coherent and implementable guidance.

ZELO noted that the development of the guidelines provides an opportunity to align scientific evidence, legal frameworks and practical realities at farm level. “Aquaculture growth in Zimbabwe has been encouraging, but regulatory instruments and farm-level standards have not kept pace,” a ZELO representative observed. “This process allows Zimbabwe to design guidance that is grounded in science, compatible with our legal frameworks and implementable for smallholders operating in diverse and often climate-stressed environments.”

Participants cited unregulated movement of juveniles and broodstock, limited surveillance, and climate-related pressure on water resources as priority challenges that increase the risk of disease outbreaks and undermine environmental sustainability. The inter-ministerial nature of the process was commended for its relevance to food safety, One Health and trade considerations, with stakeholders noting that improved compliance and traceability will support Zimbabwe’s broader agriculture and food systems transformation agenda.

The guidelines will be developed through inclusive consultations with producers, regulators and technical experts and are expected to form a practical framework to improve farm practices, environmental management and market confidence. International partners recognized the process as an important contribution to sustainable aquaculture development consistent with international standards and emerging market requirements.

Next steps will include technical working sessions, further consultation with farmer groups and regulatory bodies, and the preparation of operational tools such as an environmental quality management checklist. Upon completion, the guidelines are expected to contribute to reduced disease risk, improved productivity and strengthened traceability and compliance in Zimbabwe’s tilapia sector.