The Kirinyaga government has given select self-help groups fishpond liners, fingerlings and feed to enable them to undertake fish farming.
Twenty community groups were selected after applying for funding from the county government. They were given the input at the beginning of this month and are expected to have their first harvest after six months.
Governor Anne Waiguru has said the fish farming project is one of the components of the Wezesha Kirinyaga Economic programme that has been supporting farmers to diversify their agricultural activities to increase their revenue streams.
The project was informed by the huge fish deficit that occasioned imports as lake fishing could not sustain the existing demand.
Waiguru said his administration will support the farmers for the first six months then the groups are expected to sustain the project after selling their initial catch.
“Fish farming will provide alternative livelihoods and give direct support to women and youths who will be involved at various stages of the project value chain, which includes cooking, selling and transportation of fish. Others will be employed at fish eateries, which have now become very popular in the county,” she said while distributing pond liners.
Waiguru also urged residents to eat fish to boost their health and grow the county’s economy.
She said consumption of excess red meat has been attributed to the high prevalence of non-communicable diseases such as high blood pressure, diabetes and kidney diseases, but fish is a good source of recommended white meat.
Beneficiaries of the project look forward to uplifting their standards of living through the project.
Caroline Wambui, a group member of The Great Star Youth Group in Gichugu, says the project will provide them with a nutritious source of protein and extra income from the sale of the surplus fish.
Her group was formed in 2019 and members have been carrying out table banking with the fish farming project now expected to boost their initiative. Benson Kagiu, another member of the group, thanked the county government for empowering the youth through such projects.
Kiamuruga Tissue Culture Bananas group in Kirinyaga Central is also a beneficiary. Chairman Elijah Karari says the 25-member group is happy about the project and looks forward to selling their first catch and expanding the project as a way of empowering members economically.
He says fish farming is less time-consuming than other economic ventures and has manageable production costs.
