FINANCIING FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF SMALL-SCALE INTEGRATED FISH FARM IN BOSTWANA

The financing of small scale fish farming in Botswana is currently non-existent, as fish farming is still virtually unknown. With fish farming being placed under Ministry of Wild Life & fisheries Departments, bears the syndrome of emerging markets, the absence of policy and legislation hinder decision making criterion and has slowed the growth pace of this industry. After ten years since inception, Discus Den Aquatics (Pty) Ltd (DDA) has barely traded, but however, with its limited resources, DDA embarked on a pilot project for breeding, rearing, processing and sale of fish. The project has been successful at breeding at polyculture level, the final stage would encompass cage 'hapas' system.

Research on genetic characteristics on local breeds rates, growth rates were carried out over a period of two years and recorded. Due to the high costs of design and construction, DDA was unable to complete its production plan and seeks assistance to the tune of ±1m.  See summary of the capital costs below.

DDA is a 50 m x15m x3m pond reservoir belonging Botswana Railways, on a 5-year lease. The land area is 20 x 100m to accommodate the hatchery section, primary and secondary nurseries and grow out section, processing, storage, feed processing and sales. At full scale, the facility has potential to produce 40/60 tonnes of fish per year with a market value of approximately P1, 600,000 supported by an integrated vegetable section for feed supplements. DDA has, for the past 3 years, initiated developments with limited resources.

Botswana is a desert country, but, has very high and good quality underground water that could supply aquaculture projects, complemented by excellent temperatures that could prove ample for tilapia (oreochromis) growth rates.

This project will mark a blueprint in Botswana's road to fish farming success.