UGANDA – Uganda is set to build the first-of-its-kind feed mill facility under De Heus Animal Nutrition, a Dutch animal feed manufacturer aimed at boosting aqua feed production.
Based in the Netherlands, De Heus is a global player in compound feed, premixes, and concentrates for livestock and fish with annual production of around 8 million metric tons in 2021, according to Feed Strategy’s Top Feed Companies survey.
In a statement, De Hues said its presence in Uganda was a testament to its confidence in the future of Africa after the recent feed mill investments in South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Ghana, and Ivory Coast.
In Uganda, the animal feed supplier giant held the groundbreaking ceremony for the envisioned plant in Njeru, near Jinja, in Uganda.
The manufacturer revealed that the new plant is envisioned to have the capability of approximately 50,000 metric tons of fish feed per year, catering to the growing demand for aqua feed in the East African market.
De Heus added that the project will increase the contribution of domestic production, as well as encourage local farmers to grow more feed crops such as corn, cassava, and soybeans since the capacity would halt the country’s over-reliance on imports for its aquafeed requirements.
According to De Heus, although the industry has shown promising growth in recent years, it requires affordable and reliable quality feeds for further development.
The company, therefore, is optimistic that its local factory will offer a shorter, more flexible supply chain that will consequently boost fish farming in Uganda.
According to the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), In 2019, aquaculture production in Uganda amounted to around 103,000 MT, of this, around 71,000 mt was Nile tilapia and 31,000 mt of African catfish.
De Heus noted this huge potential for aquaculture in Uganda, and its latest investment will contribute to national food security.
“For the growing human population, fish is an important source of protein. While fishing is increasingly unable to meet local demand, there is potential for aquaculture to expand.”
Additionally, the impact of this plant goes beyond employment at the facility itself. The company said that it anticipates a significant positive effect on employment among fish farmers and suppliers.
The company also committed to replacing imports and sourcing raw materials such as maize, cassava, soy, and others locally to boost local the financial welfare of Ugandans.
In Uganda, the company operates under two distinct brands: De Heus for aqua feed and Koudijs for other livestock feeds.
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