Government promotes aquaculture in Homa Bay County

Homa Bay Thursday May 18, 2023

KNA by Davis Langat

The government through the Aquaculture Business Development Program (ABDP) has embarked on supporting fish farmers in Homa Bay County by training and giving them fish feeds.

The Chairman of Kenya Fish Marketing Authority Martin Ogindo said this was in an effort to empower the farmers economically and curb overfishing in Lake Victoria.

He said that the government has distributed 10,100 kg of fish feed to small holder fish farmers in the county.

The chairman made the remarks today when he presided over the distribution of fish feeds in Homa Bay town.

He was accompanied by Fisheries and Blue Economy Secretary Rodrick Kundu, ABDP National Co-ordinator Sammy Macharia and Homa Bay County Executive Committee Member for Blue Economy John Agili.

A total of 947 smallholder fish farmers benefited from the feeds.

In celebration of Annual Aquaculture Day, 250 youth were trained on aquaculture and business development.

Ogindo said the project was aimed at conserving Lake Victoria noting that overfishing was causing extinction of a number of fish species.

“Lake Victoria is currently overstretched and we cannot rely on it for fish.  That is why this project is being undertaken so that farmers can grow fish in ponds to enhance continuous supply,” Ogindo said.

He said that aquaculture was a lucrative economic venture which can boost the local economy.

“I can assure the people of this county that wealth is in the blue economy. Let us invest in aquaculture,” Ogindo added.

He also assured fish farmers that his board will help them in marketing their fish and fish products.

Kundu said the government recognizes fisheries as an important sector which must be supported.

“The government recognizes fisheries as a sector that can improve the livelihood of the people. We want as many people as possible to venture into fish farming because this is the only way of improving fish production in our country,” Kundu said.

Macharia encouraged the youth to embrace aquaculture to enable them to be self-reliant.

“We are training the youth so that they can undertake agribusiness with a view of making them participate actively in wealth creation,” Kundu said.

Dr Agili said the county government is collaborating with the national government for the success of the project.

“As a county with the longest shoreline of Lake Victoria, we must be at the forefront in investing in aquaculture,” Dr Agili said.

Courtesy; K.N.A