By Obiabin Onukwugha
Aquaculture, or aquatic agriculture, is the cultivation of fish, crustaceans, aquatic plants, algae and shellfish in water environments. These environments can be found in freshwater such as lakes or rivers, the sea and brackish water.
According to reports, Global Aquaculture Market is valued at USD 289.6 Billion in 2022 and is projected to reach a value of USD 421.2 Billion by 2030 at a CAGR (Compound Annual Growth Rate) of 5.5% over the forecast period.
With this, some entrepreneurs have recently ventured into the business, with recorded success.
In Limpopo, South Africa, two young aquaculturists, Mukhove Matshaya and Marvellous Makhado are said to be changing the game in aquaculture and crop farming It is reported that the couple who founded Roana Eazyfarm are not only feeding the community but also creating opportunities.
This they have done over the years using organic practices,
According to reports, Marvellous Makhado and Mukovhe Matshaya use eco-friendly methods to grow fish and crops, creating jobs and strengthening food security.
In a recent interview with foodformzansi.com, the duo said they overcame challenges, made an impact in their community, and contributed to food security and youth empowerment.
“The journey of establishing Roana Eazyfarm began with a passion for sustainable agriculture and a desire to address local food security challenges like in Tshaulu, Venda. The inspiration came from observing the potential for aquaculture to provide nutritious food and create jobs in the community,” Matshaya says.
Makhado and Matshaya aim to build a stronger connection between the ecosystem and aquaculture, ensuring environmentally friendly practices in their operations.
“We have aquaculture and crop farming that we are practising on our farm. So we make sure that we feed our fish with organic materials. Also, the water that we use that we got from the fish, we don’t just throw them away. We make sure that they are being used for irrigation as they have high nutrients and they don’t contain harmful chemicals for our agricultural practices,” Matshaya was further quoted as saying in the interview..
Matshaya however noted that their challenges, included limited resources and access to fish feed and water, as well as space restrictions at their backyard operation. Despite these limitations, Matshaya said the farm continues to expand, impacting their community positively.
The duo explain that the farm is a key contributor to local food security by providing fresh fish and vegetables to the community.
“It also creates employment opportunities by helping the local economy and reducing unemployment rates,” says Makhado.
The farm has already assisted around 24 young people with hands-on training, providing them with tilapia fingerlings to start their own aquaculture ventures.
Makhado and Matshaya share their vision of further expanding Roana Eazyfarm, with plans to create a training centre and employ more youth in their aquaculture operations.
