By AMOS ZULU –

PRESIDENT Edgar Lungu will soon commission the construction of a US$10 million fish feed plant in Siavonga District, Fisheries and Livestock Permanent Secretary David Shamulenge has said.
The plant to be located on a three hectare piece of land, would be the biggest stock feed plant in the sub-Sahara region.
Dr Shamulenge said this when he toured the site in readiness for the ground breaking  ceremony by President Lungu.
The plant would be built by a Danish company, Aller Aqua.
Dr Shamulenge said construction of the plant starts in April and would be completed within one year.
The plant would produce 50,000 tonnes of fish feed anually.
“We are here to see the place where a Danish company will  soon start the construction of a fish feed plant here in Siavonga. We will give the private sector the support it needs as Government.  As you are aware, fish feed is essential in increasing Zambia’s fish tonnage.
“When the company starts producing 50,000 tonnes of feed per year, this will translate into 30,000 tonnes of fish and we will soon talk about closing the 42,000 tonnes of fish deficit,” Dr Shamulenge explained.
He expressed optimism that with current investment in the fisheries industry, the country would soon become a net exporter of fish.
“The president has put emphasis on developing the fisheries and livestock industry, hence the creation of the new ministry, and with this commitment, we expect that in the next three years, the country should be a net exporter of fish,” he said.
Yalelo Director, Fisho Mwale, said the fish meal plant would employ 300 local people in addition to the current 300 that his firm had already employed.—NAIS.