The County Executive Committee Member for Agriculture, Irrigation, Livestock and Fisheries Mr. Gilchrist Okuom joined the fisherfolk in North Nyakach today to commemorate the 75^th World Fisheries day held annually every 21^st November.

The event marked under the theme voices from the sea formed a platform to enlighten the people that the water bodies have a maximum production limit which if overstretched and not well regulated, will deplete the ecosystem.

Owing to the growing demand for fish against the increasing human population, human activities such as using illegal fish harvesting equipment and pollution have had adverse effects on the aquatic life in the rivers, lakes and seas leading to extinction of some fish species.

Besides, the farmers were not only sensitized on the nutritional value of fish but also the importance of fish as a business. The aim is to change the mindset of the fisherfolk to move from capture fisheries to aquaculture. “Fish for health and wealth”

It is against this backdrop that the fisherfolk were introduced to various programs on fish farming and the value chains by partners who included Aquaculture Business Development Programme (ABDP). Funded by IFAD, Food and Agriculture organization (FAO), Lake Basin Development Authority (LBDA), Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute (KEMFRI) and Agriculture Sector Development Support Program (ASDAP).

Speaking at the event, The County Executive Committee Member Mr. Gilchrist Okuom said the county is working with the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries to come up with a raft of measures including policies that will harmonize activities in the lake.

“As a county we are encouraging fishermen not to rely so much on capture fisheries but adopt new technologies in aquaculture such as ponds to enhance fish production that will fill the deficit in the market.” He stated.

He further pointed out that having fish cages along pathways, hatching points, the pollution caused by the feeds and the synthetic material for making the cages have contributed to the decline of fish in the lake.

According to the Chief Officer Livestock and Fisheries, Madam Rosemary Raluoch pledged to promote aquaculture through activation of dormant ponds to revive fish farming for surplus production for the market.

The County Director Fisheries, Madam Susan Adhiambo urged the farmers to integrate the youths in aquaculture to boost fish production and to protect the lake which is the identity of the Lake people

The Coordinator of the ABDP programme, Mr. Kenneth Luga reiterated that Kisumu County is currently one of beneficiary of the Aquaculture Business Development Programme (ABDP). Funded by IFAD for the next 8 years.

The programme has two components focusing on promoting Production by smallholder aquaculture farmers and developing Producer Public Private Partnerships along the value chains with a goal of increasing the incomes, food security and Nutritional status of the wider communities of poor rural households involved in aquaculture in targeted counties.

However, the fishermen still grapple with challenges such as safety in the lake, resource depletion due to over-fishing, water pollution and climate change, high cost off feeds, availability of fingerlings and marketing.

Also present were county officials from the directorate of fisheries from the county headquarters and across the sub counties.

By Emily Mikwa

County Executive Member for Agriculture, livestock, irrigation and Fisheries Mr. Gilchrist Okuom addressing the people during World Food Day celebrations in Nyalenda

Farmers and residents of Kisumu County today converged at the united Destiny Shapers in Nyalenda to celebrate the World food day.

The event marked annually every 16th October is themed “Grow, Nourish, Sustain Together” focusing on areas that require action and offering a common objective.

The ceremony which was organised into the farmers field day saw various farmers showcase assortment of locally produced foods, innovative farming technologies recommended for the urban and peri urban farming and value addition on different products for local markets and for exports.

The nutrition sector was not left behind as they sensitized the people on the importance of consuming a balanced diet for nourishment and that it is crucial in the reduction of triple burden of malnutrition which causes obesity, cancer, diabetes among other problems in expectant mothers.

While presiding over the event, the CEC Member for Agriculture, Livestock, Irrigation and Fisheries Mr. Gilchrist Okuom challenged the farmers to upscale from subsistence farming to agri business which is sustainable through value addition.

He urged everyone to get to production to ensure they eat quality food which is nutritious and nourishing to help eliminate diseases caused by malnutrition.

The County Executive called on youths and women farmers to access available funding opportunities to expand their production.

He thanked the partners for their continued support to ensure Kisumu is food secure. IFAD has supported the fish sector through aquaculture business development Program which focuses on increasing food security and income among the poor through value addition while FAO Kenya is currently capacity building farmers on agri business as they target youths and women groups in Kisumu West, East, Central and Nyando sub counties.

The Deputy County Commissioner, Mr. Christopher Siele applauded the women and the youths for the good initiatives showcased and called on participants of the day not to pay lip service to food production but take it seriously since it pays.

He added that failure to invest in farming has a multiplier effect which spirals to the whole country making us net importers.

The Deputy commissioner also advised that irrigation farming is the way to go since the rains are quite unreliable. He thanked the partners who have supported in the reduction of surface run offs which is a challenge in farming in the region.

Eng. Charles Kalomba one of the guests called on the county to pick at least five key innovations exhibited , patent and protect them then scale up the production.He also urged the farmers to think agribusiness.

The Chief Officer crops, Dr Paul Omanga stated that without food we are food insecure hence we need to upscale the production of traditional leafy vegetables which boost immune system thereby reducing the chances of being overwhelmed by diseases such as HIV/AIDS and Corona Virus.

On her part the Chief Officer Livestock and Fisheries Madam Rosemary Raluoch encouraged farmers to produce nutritious foods for a healthy living. She also reminded the farmers over a helpline that they need to call the number 0800720696 whenever they counter challenges in farming for a solution to be reached.

The event was also attended by the area Ward administrator Dorothy Okumu, Area Chief, Senior Chief West Kolwa Mr. Kabisaye, the Partners, extension officers Pamela Akech and Monica Rombe, County officials from departments of Agriculture and Health, CBOs, among other invited guests.

By: Emily Mikwa

Kisumu County Extension Officer Mr. James Samo instructing other extension Officers on how to construct a key hole garden at the Mamboleo Show ground (Photos by: Mikwa Emily)

The County extension officers (TOTs) converged at the Mamboleo Show ground to practically apply skills learnt on urban food systems, a week after their training in Kakamega courtesy of Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).

The three-day practical lessons are basically to prepare them for the trainings set to begin next week, targeting local farmers across the urban and peri urban sub counties within Kisumu. These include: Kisumu West, Kisumu Central, Kisumu East and Nyando.

The focus is to drive food systems change in the urban context to boost food security, nutrition, and self-sufficiency within the county.

Some of the urban agriculture technology demonstrations the extension officers participated in constructing were: the storeyed micro/ sack garden, the key hole garden, the moist bed and the hanging gardens.

Such gardens are efficient in production of kales, spinach, onions, coriander, traditional green leafy vegetables, cherry tomatoes and each garden especially the sack garden can hold up to 300 plants.

The advantages of such gardens are that they require small parcel of land, create jobs, promotes food quality and security, empowers one economically and community building since it makes people work collectively.

By Mikwa Emily

Members of the FLAG pose for a group photo after the meeting session at the Grand Royal Swiss Hotel, Kisumu

Poultry, Livestock and Kitchen garden farmers within Kisumu are set to benefit from 11million grant from the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) through the County Government of Kisumu.

5.1million of the stated amount will go toward cushioning food producing and processing enterprises affected by the Covid -19 pandemic as a recovery strategy. The remaining 5.9 million grant will go into farm inputs and value addition equipment.

The Project dubbed integrated actions for innovative food systems across rural urban communities, targets 100 farmers receiving 100 birds each in Kisumu East, Kisumu central, Nyando and Kisumu west.

A total of 10,000 birds will be distributed to the said sub counties, 400 bags of feeds, vaccination of the birds and de-worming of dairy goats will also be done.

Speaking during the event, the CECM for Agriculture, irrigation, livestock and fisheries Mr. Gilchrist Okuom noted the adverse effects the pandemic has had on the food systems hence causing migration of people from urban to rural due to food insecurity.

This has come at a time when the Food Liaison Advisory Group ( FLAG) committee is looking at the urban food systems. He advised that this will change the mode of operation of the  FLAG committee from as it were at the beginning.

He called for a concerted innovativeness and that the committee to move with speed in pushing the agenda forward in order to impact on the livelihood of those affected by the pandemic.

The FAO inclusive value chains sub program head Mr. Tito Arunga on his part acknowledged the impact of Covid – 19 on food production. He added that it has opened an opportunity for agriculture globally.

He reiterated that the role of FLAG is to work as a joint stakeholder to unlock the agricultural potentials.

He called on members to work with urgency to identify the gaps and constraints the farmers have for solutions to be reached.

” FAO intends to have a more established presence in the county to improve livelihoods of the people in the region ” said Mr. Arunga

The department of Business, Cooperatives and Marketing through their Chief Officer, Mr. Joseph  Oganga pledged support in terms of modelling the program as a business for sustainability of capital, and value addition.

The forum also saw a new co- chairperson Mr. Samba Nixon Otieno Omumbo appointed taking over from Dr Abel Otieno the  immediate former chairperson.

The meeting was also graced by Chief Officer Crops Dr. Paul Omanga, Chief Officer Livestock Madam Rosemary Raluoch, Facilitators : Rebecca Wanjiru Project manager FAO, Winnie Yegon FAO, Mr Erick Ogadho project liaison Officer, Madam Rose Achieng Owenga the county FLAG coordinator and members of the FLAG. By: Emily Mikwa & Lorraine Anyango

CECM Agriculture, irrigation, livestock and Fisheries, Mr. Gilchrist Okuom addressing FLAG members during a meeting at the Royal Swiss Hotel in Kisumu yesterday ( photo: David Wadulo)

The FAO inclusive value chains sub program head Mr. Tito Arunga giving his remarks during the FLAG meeting at the Royal Swiss Hotel in Kisumu

The FAO project manager, Rebecca Wanjiru making a presentation during the FLAG meeting at the Royal Swiss Hotel.

Winnie Yegon from FAO making a presentation during a flag meeting.

Mr Erick Ogadho project liaison Officer, making a presentation during the FLAG meeting at the Royal Swiss Hotel.

Mr. Samba Nixon Otieno Omumbo the newly appointed co – Chairperson of the FLAG giving his acceptance speech yesterday at the Royal Swiss Hotel.