Fifty smallholder fish farmers in Kisumu today received 50,000 fingerlings donations to the County Directorate of Fisheries courtesy of Victory Farm
The initiative carried out in Nyakach, Muhoroni, Nyando, Kisumu East, Kisumu West and Seme Sub Counties is intended to boost the County’s fish production in order to meet the market demand.
Speaking while presiding over the distribution of fingerlings to farmers at Mr. Martin Okoth’s farm in Kajulu, Kisumu East Sub County, the Chief Officer Agriculture, Irrigation, Livestock and Fisheries Mr. Erick Ogallo who also represented the CECM, thanked Victory Farm for their support.
He lauded the urban people for practicing fish farming, which is known to be a practice of the people in the rural; highlighting that fishpond is a source of income and nutrition to every household.
Alluding to the fact that fish production in Kisumu County is still not sufficient, leading to high cost of fish. Mr. Ogallo urged farmers to make use of the opportunity to expand production that will eventually meet the market demand. He implored on the farmers to recruit more people into fish farming that is when they will increase their production.
He further advised the farmers to keep good farm records, since farming, as a business require well-kept records that can show growth. He also instructed the farmers to register into existing groups or SACCOs explaining that going forward; such kind of donations would only be given to members registered under SACCOs or groups.
The County Director of Fisheries and Aquaculture, Madam Susan Adhiambo appreciated the support by Victory Farm in donating quality fingerlings to the farmers and sought for more collaborations in other programmes like the World Food Day that is around the corner.
She committed that the directorate will do what it takes to offer extension services to the farmers until the fingerlings grow to a table size.
On his part, Mr. Dan Ombado, a representative from Victory Farm deliberated on how their farm is working to offer solutions to challenges faced by farmers concening feeds and fingerlings in order to assist farmers increase their production.
He also noted the high demand for fish saying that they produce up to 40 tons daily but still it does not meet the market demand, hence they empower local farmers with quality feeds and fingerlings to help bridge the demand gap.
On fish feeds, plans are underway to put up a mill in Naivasha, and supply the whole region with quality feeds. They also work closely with KEMFRI to restock the depleted tilapia species among other programs like aquaponics and circular economic model.
