Fish Feed Plant Cuts Costs in Onavivi

Fish feed is one of the most important components in any fish farming operation. The correct type of fish feed allows fish farmers to grow fish to the desired market size, in a desired time period, wrote Kalilo Kambo for New Era.

Speaking at the inauguration, Iyambo said: “The journey has been long and at least in the end we are here and it is pleasant.

“When we realized that there is a need to strengthen our aquaculture projects, I started travelling extensively to various countries and continents in the world – sourcing the best ideas of aquaculture to be implemented here in Namibia. I travelled to countries such as Cuba, Spain, Japan, Portugal, China, Chile and many others for the same purpose,” said the fisheries minister.

He said the Ministry of Fisheries brought two specialists from Cuba specifically to strengthen aquaculture projects in Namibia.

“We even brought a professor from China for the same purpose. This project or factory was made possible by the Government and not by the private sector since the private sector failed to do so. Initially we sold the idea to them (private sector) and it seems like they were not sure if this is viable and now we managed, here it stands. That is why we set it up here at Onavivi in the Omusati Region,” Iyambo said.

The main reason is that the ministry used to buy tonnes of fish feed from South Africa or Zambia, who usually take the fish feed from Walvis Bay to their countries and add a few ingredients before selling it back to Namibia for a hefty price per tonne.

“Now we are producing even quality fish feed here at Onavivi after adding mahangu, beans, maize and a bit of oil to make it the best meal for fish. Thus will be called fishmeal made in Namibia by Namibians,” Iyambo boasted to a cheerful gathering.