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Boon for Lake Victoria fisherfolk as firm supports more production

Victory Farms is seeking to establish cages in seven new beaches in Suba South.

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by JILLO KADIDA

Counties16 May 2024 - 06:20

In Summary


  • The company's chief development officer, Ceaser Asiyo, said through the MoU the company would increase production and create more jobs.
  • Victory Farms intends to produce up to 150,000 tons annually from the current 100,000.
Fishermen at Lwanda Konyango beach check one of their tilapia cages, they said water hyacinth is a threat to them

A fish caging company operating in Lake Victoria has signed memorandum of understanding with fishermen in Suba South in Homa Bay county to expand production.

Victory Farms is seeking to establish cages in seven new beaches in Suba South .

The company's chief development officer, Ceaser Asiyo, said through the MoU the company would increase production and create more jobs.

He said the company, which has been operating at Rowo beach in Suba South, will to expand operations by 50 per cent.

Victory Farms intends to produce up to 150,000 tons annually from the current 100,000.

The new fishing territories include Kisegi, Litare, Jiu Dendi, Uterere and Nyagwadhi beaches. 

Asiyo said cage fishing was the most cost-effective method of increasing fish production.

"Cage fishing is the future of aquaculture as it ensures there is steady supply of the delicacy to the market," he said.

Cages ensure what is fished is of the right size and eliminates the need for fishermen to sail over long distances.

Victory Farms community relations coordinator, David Otieno, said they expected a working relationship between the company and fishermen.

"We are also expanding other programmes including aquaponics, where water used in fish breeding is also used to irrigate land for horticulture," he said.

Suba Beach Management Unit Chairman William Onditi said the project was a boon for the youth as the company would employ them in the new areas where the cages were to be established.

“We also expect them to continue their corporate social responsibility including building of schools and giving bursaries,” he said.

The company is, however, facing challenges of floods at Riwa Special Economic Zone, where it plans to establish a fish processing plant.

In February, the government gave Victory Farms founder Joe Rehmann a license to set up a processing plant at Riwa. However, there were delays due to flooding, holding back the establishment of the factory. 

Asiyo said he held a meeting with county officials last week to discuss the situation.

"We have been given an assurance that dykes will be built to make the land habitable. The county government has promised to address the challenges," he said.

He said for the company to grow flooding at the special economic zone must be controlled. 


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