Embu fish farmers to reap big through aquaculture initiative

Fish farmers in Embu are set to benefit from the government action plan aimed at reviving the aquaculture industry within 15 counties with potential to support the farming.  

County fisheries technician and Aquaculture Business Development Programme representative Dedan Njue said that the programme will equip farmers with necessary essentials and identify the market for farmers.

Dedan was speaking during the Participatory Rural Appraisal hosted by the Fisheries department at Kanja chief’s camp in Kagaari North in Runyenjes constituency.

According to Njue, the Fisheries department aims at improving the fish farming to prepare them for benefits from the ABDP.

The aim is to support fish farming by reviving the fish factories in the country thus creating a market for farmers' produce.

“ABDP has revived several fish factories and this will benefit the farmers, since it will provide more market. The farmers will also be empowered by the ABDP so that they produce enough fish for the factories,” Njue said.

He said that the area has posted a drop in the number of fish farmers compared to the past, something that has raised concern in the Agriculture and Fisheries department in the county.

“We are here to seek what led to a drop in fish farming within Kagaari North so that we can ensure continuous fish farming as it used to be,” he added.

The programme also aims at improving the number of fish farmers in the county from the current 1,200.

The programme will take place in 15 counties within the country which has the potential to support aqua-life.

The exercise which took place on Friday, saw a total of 30 representatives elected to represent each sub-location within the ward to be trained on fish farming. They will later educate other farmers on how to improve fish farming within the ward and the county.

Farmers praised the action, saying it will encourage them to put more effort in fish farming unlike the past when they couldn't find the market for their produce.

Catherine Kaari, a resident of Mbuinjeru sub-location, said that she has been a fish farmer and has been discouraged by the dwindling market.

“I am happy because the programme will create more market thus encouraging more farmers to engage in fish farming,” she said.

John Kinyua, farmer, on the other hand, said there is a sigh of relief because farmers can now have a good reason.

He said that once the ABDP facilitates farmers with the resources needed for fish farming, it will make a big step that will have an immense impact in the country's economy.

(edited by Amol Awuor)