By CASSEY KAYULA –
YALELO in partnership with Aller Aqua a Europe-based fish feed manufacturer is  set to  launch a plant in Siavonga next month.
The Company anticipates to start production activities of high quality extruded fish feed for aquaculture by September this year.
Yalelo director Fisho Mwale said the new mega plant was expected to have a production capacity of 50,000 tonnes of fish feed annually and would be the most technically advanced fish feed factory in the Southern Africa region.
He said in an interview in Lusaka that the plant was quite substantial because it would have the capacity to produce 50,000 tonnes which would be expanded to 100,000.
“We will initially start producing 25,000 tonnes so it is a major within the stated objective of Government policy to put up fish feed plant and also fingerling productions,” he said.
The plant is expected to employ 300 people and would make a huge impact in the rural economy and changing people’s lives for the best
“With this mega investment, we will be the market leader in Africa in terms of modern and environmentally friendly fish feeds for aquaculture and this initiative will enable us to expand our sales in Zambia and the surrounding countries.
“Yalelo Limited has a vision of growing the production of tilapia to 30,000 tonnes in Zambia within the next few years and this fast expansion will be advantageous to the company as it will help us secure success in the country,” he said.
Mr Mwale said the company would have access to the best feed on the market and thus enable its continued growth.
“For Yalelo, the partnership with Aller aqua provides commercial security. This enables a larger initial investment in building a world-class fish feed factory from inception.
“The factory will be situated near the Central Business District in  Siavonga, on the shores of Lake Kariba, and is expected to be ready by September,” he said.