The Chitete Fish Farm in Lufwanyama, supported by Kagem Mining Limited, has stocked 21,120 fingerlings in four new ponds, expanding a community cooperative that directly benefits 53 households.
A Growing Cooperative
The latest stocking exercise, carried out with technical guidance from the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock, included a buffer of 1,920 fingerlings against anticipated mortality. It marks a significant expansion for the 53-member cooperative, comprising 42 women and 11 men, based along the Mwelushi Stream in Lumpuma Chiefdom. Kagem funded the project’s establishment, including pond construction and the initial supply of fingerlings and fish feed.
The farm now operates seven ponds measuring 20 by 30 metres, having completed two harvests from its original ponds totalling 4,400 kilograms of fish. Kagem currently serves as the project’s primary buyer, alongside surrounding communities in Chitete and Pilala, with plans to expand into Kalulushi, other parts of Lufwanyama, and Kitwe as production increases.
Building Long-Term Sustainability
Cooperative members receive ongoing training from government line ministries covering pond management, water quality monitoring, feeding practices, post-harvest handling, and business development, alongside routine monitoring from the Fisheries Department. Lufwanyama District Fisheries Officer Sharon Imbwae said the department would continue providing technical support and encouraged full member participation to achieve the farm’s productivity goals.
Kagem’s Head of Corporate Affairs, Irvine Mwitwa, said the broader goal is to build an integrated enterprise combining fish farming, livestock and crop production into a self-sustaining system that maximises productivity and improves livelihoods. Revenue generated will be partly reinvested into operations to support the project’s long-term growth. Beyond the fish farm, Kagem also funds five crop farming associations supporting 150 direct beneficiaries in the district.
