A delegation of the Programme Steering Committee (PSC) from the State Department for Fisheries, Aquaculture and Blue Economy (SDFA & BE) led by the Project Coordinator Mr. Sammy Macaria toured Kisumu yesterday to supervise the progress of the ADBP in the County.
The Programme Steering Committee is the top organ for the ABDP project mandated to oversight its implementation.
Under the stewardship of the Principal Secretary of the SDFA & BE, the team was scheduled to visit implementing counties within Nyanza Region including: Kisumu, Kakamega, Busia, Siaya, Homa Bay, Migori and Kisii.
The aim of the supervision mission is to have implementation progress in programme counties oversighted.
In Kisumu the team officially opened the ABDP training programme and toured the RCO
They also inspected the KeFs offices and laboratory that was equipped by the ABDP.
The team then toured the Cottage Fish Feeds Industry run by the Captain Youth Group in Nyalenda B. The Cottage industry has been earmarked for improvement on quality feeds that can compete in the market with reduced cost of production.
Eventually, the team visited A hero fish market which is also set for upgrade; equipped with a deep freezer for storage, new roof, raised floor and waste water bio digester .
Speaking during the closure meeting in Ahero after the inspection, the Project Coordinator, Mr. Sammy Macaria gave a nod saying the market is accessible and strategically located hence its worth investing in.
On his part, the County Executive Member for Agriculture, Irrigation, Livestock and Fisheries, who is also the Programme Steering Committee member representing the Western Region, Mr Gilchrist Okuom thanked the team for choosing Kisumu as one of the beneficiaries stating that aquaculture is steadily picking up and that the farmers have embraced the programme.
He also reiterated that Kisumu is currently focusing on venturing into fish value chain for economic growth.
The ABDP is under a joint funding by Government of Kenya and International Fund for Agriculture Development (IFAD) with the focus on support enhanced commercial viability of the aquaculture sector.
The programme aims at increasing the incomes, food security and nutritional status of the wider communities of poor rural households involved in aquaculture.
The delegation also comprised of: Grace Njagi the aquaculture expertise, Ruth Lewo value chain Adviser, Anna Mutinda, M.Waweru, Sub County Admin Nyando Dr. Oron, County Director Fisheries Susan Claire, County Project Coordinator Kenneth Luga among other County Officials.
By: Emily Mikwa
