EXCHANGE VISIT - Malawian fish processors exposed to modern processing technologies
Processors from Salima and Nkhota-Kota districts had the opportunity to appreciate modern processing technologies that are biomass cost saving, efficient and increases fish shelf life at Monkey-Bay
MONKEY-BAY, Malawi (Planet Defence) - The USAID funded Restoring Fisheries for Sustainable Livelihoods in Lake Malawi (REFRESH) a five-year project (October 2019 – September 2024) in its quest to continue building constituencies of champions organised an exchange visit for fish processors from Nkhotakota and Salima districts to appreciate Nyampesi Fish Products Company and Fish Landladies all based at Monkey Bay, Mangochi writes Elijah Katantha.
Speaking during the exchange visit Hamis Nyampesi, Managing Director of Nyampesi Fish Products began by explaining his company profile saying it was established in 2016 to buy and process fish using environmental friendly processing technologies.
The aim was to conserve fish biodiversity while promoting both women and youth empowerment economically.
"At Nyampesi Fish Products Company, we believe in working with youths and women in our fish processing business.That's why we have a business partnership with Fishland Ladies,” explained the youthful owner of the fish processing outlet.
According to Nyampesi his company has received tremendous overwhelming technical support from the then FisheriesIntegration of Society and Habitats (FISH) project as well as financial support from the current REFRESH project being implemented in the district.
"In order to process our fish, we use Chitofu 3 in 1 which is used for frying, parboiling as well as smoking. The solar tent drier helps in adding value to the fish, since there is no contamination with flies which lead to post harvest loses and further infestations." Nyampesi told the visiting processors at his base.
In her turn, Martha Chikwezga, Fishland Ladies Treasurer pointed out that as a young women led cooperative, they have been receiving a lot of support from Nyampesi Fish Products Company and Department of Fisheries. This is what catapulted them into adopting new fish processing technologies which help to conserve both the environment and fisheries resources.
"With our privately owned boat, we have employed men who do fishing for our cooperative. After we process the fish, we sell to Nyampesi Fish Products Company as our off – taker at good prices and we really thank him for that,” Chikwezga told the visiting fish processors.
Bahat Stambuli a representative of the visiting fish processors, thanked Pact Malawi for organising such an important exchange visit saying it has helped them know the modern fish processing technologies citing the chitofu 3 in 1,m she said adding that, "we will do everything possible that our cooperative partner with Nyampesi can realise more income from our fish processing business.”
Neverson Msusa, Mangochi District Fisheries Officer (DFO) in his remarks thanked REFRESH project for funding the event. He added that through such efforts it has enabled fish processors to interact and share ideas on how best to use modern fish processing technologies which will help conserve the environment including fisheries resources.
REFRESH project is implemented with funding from USAID through Pact Malawi and Mangochi is one of the beneficiary district and implemented by partner Community Initiative for Self-Reliance (CISER).