Feed, charcoal factory at Otji

Trees harvested from farms in and around Otjozondjupa will be used to produce a variety of nutritious animal feed and charcoal at a new factory near Otjiwarongo. The minister of trade, industrialisation and SME development, Tjekero Tweya, on Friday officially launched the construction of the multimillion-dollar factory. It will be built government's National Industrial Development Agency (NIDA) in partnership with private investors expected to inject funds, technical skills and knowledge.

'Lot of activity'

Government will give the land for the factory, while the Finnish government, the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO), and the Baobab Growth Fund organisation, among others, will be involved in the funding.

Tweya said the trees, found to be useful for fodder, will be mixed with other nutrients during manufacturing to produce good quality animal fodder.

The harvested trees will also be used to produce charcoal for commercial purposes. “There will be a lot of industrial activity and job creation in manufacturing, value addition and processing of wood to a finished product,” said Tweya. The minister then called for political stability in the region and said the local authority of Otjiwarongo should expect an influx of people during the construction phase and once it starts operating.

- Nampa