08 Sep 2026

Botswana possess a diverse base of locally available feed resources that remain significantly underutilised.

Developing such into commercial feed formulation presents quite an economic opportunity.

Okavango Research Institute’s Dr Keotshephile Kashe, made the remarks during a panel discussion highlighting that feed costs for aquaculture remained the single biggest challenge to profitability but reducing import dependence through local formula could significantly improve farmers’ margins.

He mentioned resources such as sorghum, sunflower cake, moringa leaves, lucerne meal, maize bran among others which could be successfully used as local, cost-effective ingredients to formulate fish feed in aquaculture.

Feed, accounts for 60 to 70 per cent of total costs, making it the dominant expense line for fish farmers while imported feeds are expensive and exposed to exchange rate fluctuations, eroding already the thin margins.

“Supply chain disruption delays and shortage can directly halt production. Fishmeal, a key protein source in conventional feeds is becoming increasingly expensive globally and reducing import dependence is essential for strengthening value-chain resilience and stabilising margins,” said Dr Kashe.

He also called for proper infrastructure, technical skills and market since those were the foundational pillars of sustainable aquaculture.

Proper infrastructure, capacitation and market are key in ensuring long term environmental viability, economic profitability and social responsibility. 

Dr Kashe explained that fish farming must be repositioned not as a water consumer but as a water recycling agricultural enterprise.

In Botswana, water efficiency is not optional, it is essential for sustainable aquaculture growth and Dr Kashe talked about recirculating aquaculture systems, pond water reuse for irrigation and integrated aquaculture as efficient systems that could reduce operational costs and environmental impact.

A member of Botswana Fish Farmers Association in Maun, Apostle Crossland Shama, concurred that lack of technical knowledge and poor market access were the most critical barriers preventing the growth of sustainable aquaculture sector.

The industry, he said failed because farmers start production without studying the market.

He explained that the market was broad, and stated that smoked fish was in demand in the Democratic Republic of Congo while in other countries cat fish was highly sought after for its skin which was used to produce pharmaceutical products.

Citizen Entrepreneurial Development Agency, Maun branch manager, Mr Godfrey Phale, said that the agency could invest in any business by taking ownership or equity position as well as joint venture where there was a partnership between a citizen and non-citizens.

The agency has identified special sectors for funding such as agriculture, manufacturing, mining, tourism, creative industry and construction among others. ENDS