Kavango west: The Mpungu fish farm, situated in Kavango West and established in the early 2000s, has been grappling with performance issues ever since it was handed over to the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources in 2004. The facility, designed to produce 20 metric tonnes of fish annually, has consistently failed to meet this target.

According to Namibia Press Agency, Chief Fisheries Biologist Albertina Joseph revealed in a recent interview that the farm's production has never exceeded five metric tonnes per year, with the highest annual yield being a mere three tonnes. Joseph cited several reasons for this shortfall, including the slow growth rate of the fish species being farmed, poor pond drainage, and insufficient funding.

The farm's infrastructure includes 14 ponds, farmhouses, an office, and a small processing unit. However, operational challenges persist, with only four of the six production ponds currently functional. The primary species raised, Oreochromis andersonii and Coptodon rendalli (tilapia), have struggled to thrive, exacerbating the production issues.

Joseph emphasized the need for redesigning the ponds and highlighted the financial constraints faced by the facility. She also pointed out that temperature plays a critical role, with the region experiencing optimal water temperatures of 30 degrees for only one month annually. Deputy Director Renier Dawid Burger reiterated the importance of maintaining these temperatures for six months to facilitate fish growth.

Management and governance issues further complicate the situation. The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform provides essential inputs like feed and electricity, but staffing is limited, and oversight is primarily conducted from Rundu. Despite investments exceeding N.dollars 30 million in infrastructure and a planned borehole, significant challenges remain.

Joseph suggested exploring stock improvement options, such as genetically modified species or introducing invasive species, although current regulations do not permit these actions. During a recent visit, Kavango West Governor Verna Sinimbo stressed the need for decisive action in terms of funding, management, and scientific approaches to restore the farm's output to its intended capacity.