By Mogaka Nyabwengi
Aquaculture is fast taking root in Kisii County.
While aquaculture is broad, farmers in the county have mainly focused on the breeding, rearing and harvesting of fish.
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They have been receiving support from various partners in a bid to improve their economic fortunes and guarantee the county reliable access to fish.
The Aquaculture Business Development Programme (ABDP), which is jointly funded by International Fund for Agriculture Development (IFAD), the National Government and the County Government of Kisii, has immensely supported local fish farmers.
The ABDP programme is being implemented in Kisii and 15 other counties in the country.
In Kisii, 22 out of 45 wards are benefiting from the programme.
Through the programe, fish farmers are provided with fingerings, aqua feeds, fish pond liners and preventive nets.
The programme also offers training/ capacity building to farmers for them to successfully pursue the venture.
ABDP county coordinator Samson Machera says the programme has increased adoption of aquaculture in a region that is predominantly agriculture oriented.
“Aquaculture is one of the economic activities that will uplift family incomes and boost food security in the county,” Machera says.
He encourages fish farmers to take advantage of incentives from the programme and embrace fish farming as a source of food and income.
Speaking during a recent fingerings distribution exercise at Masimba, Machera affirmed that, “the programme will equip fish farmers with adequate support to realize sustainable economic growth.”
“Working closely with county fisheries department and extension officers, we are showing modern fish farming practices and skills to our farmers in order for them to achieve optimum profits,” noted Machera.
A total of 100,000 fingerings were delivered to 100 selected farmers.
Each of the beneficiaries received 1,000 fingerings to boast their fish stock.
The beneficiaries were drawn from various wards in Nyaribari Masaba Sub County who had been trained on fish farming.
Obadiah Miroro, a beneficiary from Inchuni Ward expressed his gratitude to the project highlighting the benefits he had received from rearing fish.
Miroro said he had been yearning for knowledge and skills to practice beneficial farming.
He acknowledged that the Programme came at an opportune time when he needed it most.
Initially, Miroro kept fish for home consumption.
“I’m thankful to this project for empowering me with skills to utilize my fish pond to produce sufficient fish for my family and sell the surplus,” he added.
Irene Kemunto, a fish farmer from Gesusu ward appreciated after receiving 1000 fingerings for her newly prepared fish pond.
She applauded ABDP for empowering her to venture into fish farming.
“I encourage other farmers in my ward to embrace fish farming as I anticipate high yields from my fish pond in the near future,” Kemunto said.
County fisheries officers continuously train and provide technical extension support to farmers in the aqua culture industry.
Ms. Agnes Choti, County Chief Officer in charge of Agriculture underscores the county’s commitment in supporting the aquaculture sector noting that it promotes economic growth.
She says the County is working with other stakeholders and development partners to ensure Kisii farmers benefit from modern agricultural practices.
“Strengthening fisheries extension services and value addition is enshrined in our County Integrated Development Plan (CIDP),” she said.
