Huambo: Angola is making strides towards enhancing its aquaculture sector, with plans to produce over 80,000 tons of fish by the year 2030, as part of its efforts to bolster food security. António Sanda Onde, the National Director of Aquaculture, shared this vision after the inaugural Inland Aquaculture Forum, organized by the Provincial Association of Fish Farmers. The forum, hosted at a local farm, focused on the theme "Aquaculture in Huambo: Production and Sustainability." According to Angola Press News Agency, the aquaculture industry in Angola is on a growth trajectory, with projections suggesting a production level of 35,000 tons by 2025. Onde highlighted the recent progress in production, which saw an increase from 2,339 tons in 2022 to 10,538 tons in 2023, and is expected to reach 22,047 tons in 2024. Onde encouraged the Huambo province to emulate Cuanza-Sul, which has shown promising production figures, and become a central hub for aquaculture. He mentioned that comprehensive strategies are being c rafted to tackle fish feed challenges, with initiatives included in the 2027-2030 National Development Plan to ensure the sustainability of production. The event emphasized supporting the Executive's strategy of advancing aquaculture to secure food security and create jobs, while also contributing to economic diversification and household income. Joo Lara, the director of the Huambo Province Department of Agriculture, Livestock, and Fisheries, acknowledged the challenges faced by aquaculture in the region, including financial limitations, access to quality inputs, and the need for technical assistance and producer training. Lara noted that Huambo province has the water resources, favorable climate, and entrepreneurial spirit necessary to transform aquaculture into a significant source of employment, income, and food security. He stressed that aquaculture is not merely about fish production, but also a strategic tool for poverty alleviation, youth and women empowerment, economic diversification, and sustaina ble rural development. Miguel Vasco, president of the local Aquaculture Association, emphasized the sector's potential to propel economic and social development as Angola seeks to diversify its economy and secure food and job opportunities. He underscored the importance of fostering dialogue among government, public institutions, producers, academia, and business partners to develop the sector further. Faustino Chinduco, an aquaculture farmer and forum participant, observed the rising trend of aquaculture in Huambo province and the need for further development. He noted difficulties in sourcing feed, which is predominantly available in Luanda at high prices, prompting producers to resort to creating homemade feed solutions, a practice that is not always sustainable. Angola's extensive river network, comprising 77 cataloged basins, offers abundant resources for aquaculture, especially for tilapia production, providing a solid foundation for the country's ambitious fish production goals.
