The project, situated 133 kilometres from Gobabis in the Omaheke Region, is seen as a blessing for the many unemployed inhabitants of Leonardville. The project aims to address food security by establishing the fish farming as a source of protein production. It also hope to improve fish consumption at the village, reports Namibia Economist.
Construction of the project started in June 2012 and is expected to be completed in September 2013. The project is estimated to cost N$20 million upon completion.
The fish farm consists of six ponds, three mitigating dams to prevent flooding in case of a storm, office blocks, processing facilities, fencing and drilling of two bore holes.
Fisheries and Marine Resources Minister, Bernard Esau, visited the site of the project earlier this month to acquaint himself with the activities of the project. Mr Esau told the newspaper that although a few delays where experienced in implementing the project, his ministry has dedicated itself this year to deliver and manage the project hands-on.
Production output is expected to be 10 tons of fish, harvested once or twice a year. Apart from the Leonardville project, two other aquaculture projects have been implemented in the Hardap and Ohangwena regions respectively. The Hardap Aquaculture project will provide the fingerlings to Leonardville to start operations which, according to Esau, will include tapping expertise of foreign partners from Vietnam and Cuba.
