Africa-Press – Namibia. The Mpungu Fish Farm in the Kavango West Region is set to receive N$2 million in the 2026/27 financial year to repair ponds and upgrade key infrastructure.
Senior Fisheries Biologist in the directorate of fisheries at the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform, Fernandu Harold Khaebeb, said the facility requires urgent investment to realise its full production potential.
Speaking at the Kavango West Regional Development Coordination Committee meeting on Monday, Khaebeb said the funding will be directed towards pond rehabilitation, lining and securing a reliable water supply.
The farm comprises two farmhouses, an office, a storeroom, a small processing facility and 14 ponds.
While its design capacity is 20 tonnes per year, production has remained below this level. Of the 14 ponds, six are designated for production, four for broodstock and four for nurseries.
Currently, only four production ponds are operational, with two in need of repairs.
“Infrastructure constraints continue to limit operations,” Khaebeb said.
Planned upgrades include perimeter fencing, pond lining, construction of a three-bedroom house and improvements to the water pumping system.
A borehole for potable water is also planned to ensure basic services on site.
Khaebeb noted that previous project management challenges had delayed progress, including the termination of a contractor assigned to address defects on a staff house due to poor performance and repeated absence from meetings.
The staff house remains partially habitable, with outstanding defects expected to be addressed in the next financial year.
During the meeting, committee members requested clarity on a separate N$3 million allocation, calling for a detailed breakdown from the capital projects unit to account for completed and outstanding works.
Regional officials indicated that the executive director will be requested to formally provide the allocation breakdown and prioritise the Mpungu upgrades in the 2026/27 workplan.
Khaebeb said farm staff and regional agriculture officials will prepare a detailed scope of work and procurement plan once funding is confirmed, with repairs expected to commence within the upcoming financial year.
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