From Farm Hand to Fish Boss: Aubrain Lyavuka’s Aquaculture Journey

Thirty-year-old Aubrain Lyavuka dreamt of bigger things than life as a farm laborer. His chance for a career change arrived in the form of an aquaculture training program advertised by Zambia’s Solwezi Department of Fisheries. This program, spearheaded by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), was designed to empower African youth for agribusiness and entrepreneurial ventures within the agricultural sector.

Aubrain joined an intensive course in Solwezi, Northwestern Province, alongside over 60 other aspiring agripreneurs. The program offered a unique blend of classroom learning and hands-on experience. Trainees, like Aubrain, got their hands dirty constructing two of the four fishponds they would use to raise fingerlings.

This practical approach proved invaluable. Aubrain grasped essential concepts like pond ecosystem management, fish health and nutrition, breeding techniques, and water conservation. The program also emphasized sustainable practices, ensuring Aubrain understood his responsibility to protect the environment. “We learned to avoid polluting nearby water bodies with waste from the ponds,” Aubrain explained.

The OYA program wasn’t just about classroom learning and fish farming. Aubrain also attended the 8th Africa Agribusiness and Science Week in Durban, South Africa. Here, he rubbed shoulders with agribusiness leaders, attended conferences, and even participated in field visits to operational farms. Witnessing agriculture on a larger scale solidified Aubrain’s vision for his own future.

Inspired and equipped with newfound knowledge and business acumen, Aubrain returned home to Zambia. He leveraged the profits from his vegetable sales to purchase land in Ndola, Copperbelt Province. His dream of fish farming was about to become a reality.

Within a few months, seven fishponds materialized. Today, Aubrain’s operation boasts nine ponds, teeming with Tilapia. He has even created jobs, employing two people to help manage his flourishing enterprise. Each pond yields an impressive 400 kilograms of fish, twice a year.

Aubrain’s path to success wasn’t without hurdles. Water scarcity and sneaky predators like birds and monitor lizards presented challenges. As with many young entrepreneurs in Zambia, access to capital and financing hurdles loomed large. High-interest rates added another layer of complexity. However, Aubrain wasn’t deterred. He strategically reinvested his profits, took calculated risks like building the ponds in phases, and constantly sought ways to expand his business sustainably. The mentorship and coaching provided by the Solwezi Department of Fisheries after the OYA program proved invaluable during this critical phase.

The OYA program’s success hinges on its comprehensive approach. It equips young people with not only the necessary practical skills but also business management expertise, knowledge of market access, and the importance of networking. This holistic approach is proving to be a recipe for success, not just for Aubrain, but for Zambia’s burgeoning aquaculture sector. The program is now poised for expansion, with plans to rollout training activities across the entire country.

Aubrain’s ambitions extend far beyond his current nine ponds. His immediate goal is to expand to 12 ponds, allowing him to achieve monthly harvests throughout the year. But that’s just the first step. “I’m aiming to mechanize the farm and establish a fish hatchery,” Aubrain revealed, “to ensure the continued growth and sustainability of my business.” Aubrain Lyavuka’s journey from farm hand to fish boss is a testament to the transformative power of education, ambition, and a well-designed program. It’s a story that is likely to be replicated as the OYA program empowers a new generation of Zambian agricultural entrepreneurs.

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