Epalela aqua-fish farm to become integrated farming hub

The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform has unveiled plans to transform the Epalela Aqua-Fish Farm into a fully integrated farming hub designed to boost sustainable food production and agricultural efficiency in the Omusati Region.During a recent visit to the facility, the ministry’s executive director, Ndiyakupi Nghituwamata, highlighted the existing infrastructure that sets the stage for this innovative approach. “We have the fish ponds for fish production, a reservoir where water from the ponds is drained, and a pump system already in place to irrigate the three hectares of land that will soon be cleared by our labourers,” said Nghituwamata.“The farm already has the necessary infrastructure to support this integrated farming model.”At the core of the transformation is the integration of aquaculture with crop production. Fish ponds produce nutrient-rich water, which will be pumped to irrigate and fertilise the adjacent 3 ha of land, reducing waste and minimising the need for additional agricultural inputs. This water, rich in nutrients beneficial for plants, will nurture crops destined to serve as inputs for fish feed, creating a sustainable loop within the farm.“I’m right now at Epalela aquaculture fishing, and this is really where the integration of farming activities can take place,” Nghituwamata explained in a video. “We will immediately incorporate crop production into this aquaculture farming activity. The water coming here with all the nutrients good for planting goes into these reservoirs and is pumped to clear the land for planting. The plants will become inputs into the fish feed, which we mix ourselves. We feed our fish and also give to communities and small-scale farmers. This is a very good integrated farming practice that we would like to put into action.”Reduced water wasteThe ED also emphasised the issue of water wastage, noting that the farm’s system provides an opportunity to address this challenge. “At the moment, there is a lot of water going into the dam and not being utilised. This one is, as I said, a low-hanging fruit,” she added.Beyond Epalela, the ministry plans to revive the fish feed processing plant at the Onavivi Inland Aquaculture Centre, also in the Omusati Region. The horticultural produce cultivated at Epalela will supply raw materials for fish feed production, establishing a sustainable local supply chain that further strengthens regional food security.“These initiatives are part of our broader vision to ensure Namibia becomes more self-sustaining by producing nutritious food locally and reducing dependency on imported goods,” said Nghituwamata. Her visit to Epalela is part of a regional tour aimed at engaging ministry personnel, assessing ongoing projects, and familiarising herself with the operations of the newly integrated fisheries directorates in Namibia’s northern regions.Legacy of growthThe Epalela Fish Farm was established between 2003 and 2006, when it was constructed by the government at a cost of approximately N$9.2 million. The farm features 12 earth dams, nine concrete ponds, an irrigation pond, a pump system, pipelines from the water canal to the ponds, fencing, and various supporting infrastructure, including an office, slaughterhouse, drying shed, manager’s house, hostel block, and feed store.In 2014, the farm reached a significant milestone with record fish production of 60 tonnes, a success attributed in part to technical assistance from Cuban aquaculture experts contracted by the Namibian government.By 2016, the National Fishing Corporation of Namibia (Fishcor) funded renovations costing around N$1.8 to N$2 million. These upgrades addressed deteriorating infrastructure, such as the hostel, feed storeroom floors, and general building maintenance.QR CODE WEB LINK: https://q.my.na/X2H0 QR CODE IMAGE LINK: https://q.my.na/uploads/images/X2H0.png QR CODE CAPTION: WATCH: Ndiyakupi Nghituwamata, Ministry of Agriculture Executive Director, visits the Epalela Aqua-Fish Farm.

Epalela aqua-fish farm to become integrated farming hub

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Republikein 2025-10-03

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Epalela aqua-fish farm to become integrated farming hub

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