Eskom recently launched the Dindi Fish Farm in the Dindi community near Pietermaritzburg, as part of its programme to establish sustainable projects in needy communities.
The fish farm is a small remote facility specifically for the raising of African catfish, Clarias gariepinus. The production unit is a small self-contained agricultural tunnel 11m wide and 36m long and the entire operation takes place within this structure. The facility consists of twelve tanks of 12 000 litres each with 5 000 fish in each tank. There are currently 50 000 fingerlings at Dindi, with a maximum capacity of 60 000 fingerlings. The fish farm has the potential to produce 10 tons of fish per month.
In this programme, the baby fish or fingerlings are purchased from the HD Hill Fish Farm in Pietermaritzburg at six weeks old and placed in raising or grow-out tanks within the self-contained agricultural tunnel. These fingerlings are fed a supplied fish food for six months until they reach one kilogram. The fingerlings cost R1 each and at maturity sell at about R15 per kilogram. The harvested fish are shipped back to HD Hill Fish Farm for processing and marketing.
Says Ms Zandile Mjoli, Senior General Manager (Eskom Resources & Strategy Division): ‘The longer term intention is to develop the programme into a self-funding operation. As a result, nominally 75% percent of the profits from the individual projects will be reinvested into future projects. The balance of the profits will be invested into the local community in order to improve their quality of life, health and facilities.”
The research towards optimising the design and operation, as well as the finance for the establishment and initial operation of the satellite catfish farm, was provided by the South African Centre for Essential Community Services (SACECS), an Eskom Research portfolio. SACECS is a technology delivery mechanism for the provision and implementation of sustainable projects in needy communities primarily in the areas of water, healthcare, energy services and technology for small business development by ensuring affordability and maximising participation.
The ultimate aim is to develop a self-sustaining programme, where the balance of the profit is used by SACECS towards further projects in other rural communities.
For further information:
Dave Oerder
Eskom Senior Technology Consultant
Tel: (031) 702 9216
e-mail: [email protected]