A delegation from the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) led by the global head of Fisheries and Aquaculture, Dr. Richard Abila together with representatives from the Project Steering Committee (PSC) had an engagement forum with the fish farmers supported by the Aquaculture Business Development Programme (ABDP).
ABDP is a programme jointly funded by the Government of Kenya and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD). The Programme is being implemented in fifteen counties (Migori, Kakamega, Homa Bay, Nyeri, Meru, Kirinyaga, Tharaka-Nithi, Kisii, Kisumu, Siaya, Busia, Embu, Kiambu, Machakos and Kajiado).
The Programme’s development objective is to increase the incomes, food security and nutritional status of the wider communities of poor rural households involved in aquaculture in the targeted Counties.
According to the Country Programme Coordinator, IFAD, Mr. Ronald Ajenjo, the engagement with the community is a means of working closely with the Government of Kenya to support farmers, it also provides a platform for finding out if the programme is meeting the expectations of farmers as was designed, to exchange ideas on the best practices including success stories and the challenges experienced.
The Chief Officer for Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries, Irrigation and Blue Economy, Mr. Erick Omondi Ogallo who represented the CECM, thanked IFAD and GoK for the support and for the cordial working relations that has existed through partnership.
He called on the farmers to farm sustainably, so that they can still be in business even post donor support. He promised continued support through extension services and to link the farmers with new partners coming on board.
The team visited farmer field schools in two Sub Counties; in Koru-Muhoroni Ward, Koru sub county, the engagement forum was hosted by the family of Mr. Gilbert Obonyo who is a level one farmer registered under Koru Aquaculture Farmer Field School, while in Nyakach, they interacted with farmers from Sango Aquaculture Farmer Field School in West Nyakach, hosted by the family of Mr. Jacob Omia also a level one farmer.
The farmers through the chairpersons of their groups acknowledged receipt of support from IFAD in form of feeds, predator kits, dam liners and trainings. This they said has improved their output and income. However, they also experience challenges ranging from flood, drought, high cost of feeds, inaccessibility of quality feed and fingerlings, market access among others.
Also in attendance were: CECM Elija Ombuori, Dr Isaac Wafula Wamalwa – Deputy National Programme Coordinator, Aquaculture Business Development Programme (GoK/IFAD) Mr. Isaac Michael – monitoring and Evaluation IFAD, Winny Chepkemoi Programme Management Division – IFAD, Mr. Michael Waweru Senior Monitoring and Evaluation , County Director Fisheries and Blue Economy, Susan Adhiambo, County Project Coordinator Mr. Kevin Wamira among other County officers from the Fisheries sector.
