The growth of a business is gauged by multiple indicators designed to show an increase in the scale of business operations. Both developed and growing companies oftentimes explore the diversification of products and services as a crucial component of growing businesses. This is the route AquaLink has taken to introduce fingerling and fish production into the product portfolio. The company has moved to establish a fish farm known as AquaLink Farms in Zomba. The farm is operating as a hatchery and a grow-out production centre for production of both tilapia and catfish fingerlings, together with table-sized fish.

From the onset of setting up AquaLink as the ultimate supplier of aquaculture equipment in Malawi, the directors of the company have been living with dreams of owning a fish farm. While the farm has been established in diversifying the product portfolio, the venture is a realization of a long-held aspiration. The company has worked relentlessly for the past 2 years to supply a range of aquaculture equipment to various clients across the country to secure financial resources required for the farm.

Until April 2022, the company purchased land in Zomba upon conducting a feasibility study on the site. AquaLink looked at site accessibility, availability of water and soil quality, among other factors. In assessing the availability of water, the company waited for the “peak” period of summer, which mostly runs in October before commencing groundworks. This has helped the company to confirm the perennial availability of water. Upon gaining satisfaction, the company embarked on construction work, including the erection of ponds and water canals. The farm is tapping water using gravitational force from a river that borders the site. This formed a pivotal component of establishing the farm as an inlet was being meticulously built. In the meantime, the farm has five ponds of 400 square meters each.

AquaLink employed an inclusive approach in developing the farm by engaging 30 community members to support the construction work. The company used manual labour and hired individuals from surrounding villages. This has helped to create a strong relationship between the company and community members. Some individuals have been expressing willingness to support this investment, citing a development that will transform the area. In the meantime, AquaLink has recruited Mrs. Awali as a Farm Manageress.

Although the farm is only producing fingerlings and grow-out fish, the company is exploring means of introducing various technologies at the farm. This includes Integrated Aquaculture Agriculture (IAA) and other advanced production systems. The aim is to contribute towards improving the availability of quality fingerlings and farmed fish.

Figure 3: The Farm Manageress, Mrs. Awali receiving tipalia broodstock

AquaLink, therefore, is now producing and selling quality tilapia and catfish fingerlings. If you are looking for quality fingerlings and fish, please reach out to the company by following the “contact us” section.