Namibian project aims for poultry self-sufficiency

The fully integrated operation will provide breeder and broiler farms, a hatchery, feed mill and processing plant with a capacity of 250,000 chickens a week and the potential to double as per capita consumption rises. 

 

The parent stock is being supplied by Cobb South Africa. “We have been working with Namib Poultry since 2005 when their dream started and we congratulate them on their progress in making this dream a reality,” says Cobb South Africa sales, planning and technical services manager Pieter Oosthuysen.

 

Two thirds of the funding for this US $60 million programme comes from local sources through Namib Poultry’s parent NMI group and Bank Windhoek, with further investment from the Industrial Development Corporation of Southern Africa.

 

Gys White, Namid Poultry managing director, said they would focus on stimulating the local market seeking initially to double per capita consumption of chicken to 15 kg a year.

 

“The broiler plant will comply with European Union standards from production to employment standards,” he said, adding that as well as producing the final product, the company would also look at developing branded chicken shops.

 

With six rearing and 12 breeder production houses, the company will produce close around 325,000 hatching eggs per week, with the day-old broilers raised in 35 houses.   The feed mill will have a capacity of 10,000 tonnes / month supplying the local layer and pig industry as well as the company’s broilers.

 

By the time production begins in mid-2012, NMI, situated between Windhoek and Okahandja at Klein Kapuka Farm, will employ a permanent staff of 450 employees.