22/07/2026
Today marked a significant milestone for aquaculture development in Manicaland as Byskmer Investments and the Zimbabwe Fish Producers Association (ZFPA) officially entered into a Joint Venture to establish the Manicaland Cold Chain Facility.
The signing ceremony, held at Manica SkyView Hotel in Mutare, was witnessed by Aquaculture Zimbabwe, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the District Development Coordinator (DDC), and other key government and development stakeholders.
This strategic partnership represents a major step towards reducing post-harvest fish losses experienced by small-scale fish farmers through improved cold chain infrastructure. It will also strengthen the fish value chain, enhance market access, improve food security, and increase incomes for fish farming communities across Manicaland Province.
The District Development Coordinator, together with other stakeholders, reaffirmed their commitment to supporting the Joint Venture, underscoring the importance of collaboration in driving sustainable aquaculture development and empowering smallholder fish farmers.
This Joint Venture was facilitated through the FISH4ACP Project, implemented by Aquaculture Zimbabwe in partnership with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), funded by the EU Delegation to Zimbabwe and the Bundesministerium für wirtschaftliche Zusammenarbeit und Entwicklung (BMZ), whose support continues to strengthen Zimbabwe's aquaculture sector by enhancing the fish value chain, reducing post-harvest losses, improving market access, and creating sustainable livelihood opportunities for small-scale fish farmers.
The event was a celebration of partnership, innovation, and a shared commitment to building a resilient, inclusive, and sustainable aquaculture sector that contributes to improved livelihoods, food security, and economic growth in Zimbabwe.