Mbale: Some 450 fish farmers in Vihiga county have received a significant boost after a non-governmental organization provided them with fingerlings and fish feeds.
According to Kenya News Agency, the Norwegian Agency for Development Corporation (NORAD), through the Advancing Resilient Nutrition Sensitive Aquaculture Project (ARNSA) implemented under the Aquaculture Business Development Project (ABDP), supplied the farmers with 450,000 fingerlings and 3,600 bags of fish feeds.
Speaking during the event at the county headquarters in Mbale, area governor Dr. Wilber Ottichilo expressed his appreciation to NORAD for their support in uplifting aquaculture in the area. Dr. Ottichilo said the county has the potential to produce fish in bulk and make Vihiga among the top in fish farming. He emphasized the importance of following the required practices to address any challenges experienced and succeed in the venture.
The governor noted that the initiative lays the groundwork for a more comprehensive Aquaculture Business Development Programme in the next phase. Dr. Ottichilo encouraged more people to venture into fish farming, highlighting its contribution to food security and providing essential nutrients. He assured farmers of a ready market for fish both locally and internationally, driven by increasing demand.
Additionally, Dr. Ottichilo urged fish farmers to strive to produce their own fish feeds locally, which would reduce overall costs and improve fish production. He also called upon school principals involved in fish farming in the county to take the exercise seriously and encourage students to take an interest in fisheries studies, thereby ensuring future expertise in the area.
Nyang'ori Boys High School and Moi Girls Vokoli are among the institutions that received fingerlings. The governor assured farmers that the county will prioritize producing fingerlings from Mwitoko fish hatchery, currently undergoing renovation, for the benefit of farmers and residents.
Meanwhile, Vihiga has procured a vehicle and three motorcycles to facilitate officers reaching farmers and offering advice on fish farming. Nets were also provided to help thwart predators. Dr. Isaac Wamalwa, Deputy National Programme Coordinator of the Aquaculture Business Development Program, urged farmers and residents to invest in aquaculture due to the significant fish deficit impacting food security. He encouraged utilizing the support given to grow the business to a higher level.
The fish farmers in Vihiga are expected to offer a 44 percent in-kind contribution towards the project. The Aquaculture Business Development Project supports 16 counties, including Vihiga, which was recently considered to be part of the project.