Oshikoto to use saline water for aquaculture boom and food security

Oshikoto governor Sacky Kathindi has unveiled an initiative aimed at transforming the region’s saline underground water into a resource for aquaculture development and improved food security.

Kathindi on Wednesday said reverse osmosis and mini-desalination technology will be used to desalinate groundwater for drinking and irrigation, while the brine by-product will be used for fish farming.

He said the region has secured N$6.4 million from the Environmental Investment Fund to support the project, with priority given to water-stressed constituencies such as Nehale Lya Mpingana, Eengodi, Omuntele and Okankolo.

“Our main challenge in the Oshikoto region has always been abundant but highly saline groundwater. Now we are turning that challenge into an economic opportunity through aquaculture,” Kathindi said.

He added that the government alone cannot deliver the vision, calling for stronger public-private partnerships to expand fish farming operations in the region.

Kathindi noted that about 80% of the region’s population depends on agriculture, mainly mahangu cultivation and livestock farming. The project is, therefore, expected to diversify livelihoods by introducing fish farming as a sustainable enterprise.

He said communities will receive training in brine-based fish production for every mini-desalination plant installed.

Special focus will be placed on the Omuntele constituency, where elephants frequently damage water points. Plans include drilling a dedicated borehole and establishing a separate wildlife watering point to reduce human-wildlife conflict while supporting the aquaculture programme.

The initiative will also include the inspection and rehabilitation of existing boreholes, as well as the installation of mini-desalination units with reverse osmosis systems.

“Oshikoto water is saline because we are closer to the salt pan. If all the plans I have are implemented, the Oshikoto region will have enough water in a short period of time, possibly before the end of the year,” he said.

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