The South African firm Skretting has invested €4.5 million to help produce fish feed in Zambia. This while government is calling for more private sector investment in stock manufacturing to support the growing aquaculture sector.

General manager Abraham Swanepoel said the construction of the plant at Siavonga in Southern Province will support the targeted production of 750 000 tons of fish in the next three years.

“Having the capacity to have locally produced stock feed for fish will be a major boost for the aquaculture sector,” Swanepoel said.

Livestock and Fisheries Minister Michael Katambo said access to affordable fish feed will radically reverse the decline in fish production.

“We want to see more investment in fish stock feed manufacturing to support the fishing sector,” Katambo said. Government is implementing a number of fish projects in various parts of the country through the K50 million grant from the African Development Bank (AfDB). In addition, a number of private players have also invested in fish farming.

According to Katambo, investment in the sector will in the next two years make Zambia an exporter of fish in the region. He said with the growth recorded so far, the 185 000 ton deficit is narrowing.