The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has projected that Zambia ‘s aquaculture production will increase in the next five years, the Zambia Daily Mail reported on Tuesday.

In its latest report on aquaculture farming in Zambia , the UN body says production is expected to increase from 8, 500 tons to 28, 500 tons per annum due to increased fish farming activities.

The report has, however, said achieving the anticipated harvest increase might be a challenge if aquaculture programs are not enhanced, adding that developing a profitable aquaculture sub- sector that accelerates economic growth will require implementations of new techniques that foster investment in fish farming.

Meanwhile, the Zambian government has revealed that the consumption of fish per capita has reduced to less than 62 percent in the country, Daily Mail said.

Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Chief Aquaculture Officer Mulenga Musonda said although the consumption has continued to reduce, Zambia has the potential to improve on aquaculture with its sufficient water resources.

Zambia is said to have 40 percent of the water in southern Africa.

Coastweek Newspapers Ltd.