Fish farmers in Migori have received Sh1.2 million from the Norland grant under the Aquaculture Business Development Programme (ABDP) to boost the fishing industry in the South Nyanza Region.
The National Programme Coordinator, ABDP Sammy Macharia, confirmed that the ABDP will support artisanal fish farmers in the county to fill nutrition gaps and build capacity for the agribusiness fishing community in the County.
“As we aim to capacity-build fisherfolk in Migori, ABDP will also ensure the creation of smart kiosks to help the fishmongers reach more markets,” said Macharia.
He elaborated that the creation of the smart kiosk initiative will provide global markets for Kenyans as well as cold storage facilities for fish preservation.
The official affirmed that ABDP will also be giving grants to Nyeri and Vihiga counties in Kenya, while the grant project will also cover Tanzania and Mozambique to empower fish farmers in Africa.
Migori County Chief Officer in Charge of Fisheries, George Ochola, commended the ABDP for considering Migori for the grant. He urged the fish farmers in Migori to embrace the project to fully benefit from the grant and increase their daily income.
Ochola announced that the grant will help to fund 29 fish cages to boost the production of fish farming in Lake Victoria. He also disclosed that the County has already established cold storage at Got Kachola in Nyatike Sub County to reduce fish losses after harvest.
Rebecca Marito, the Acting Director of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development, emphasised the grant’s goal of improving fish production and creating ready markets.
“As we embark on this life-changing project for farmers, I want to congratulate the County government and the farmers for their readiness to embrace the project,” said Marito.
Marito noted that the grant will also renovate fish landing sites and cold storage to improve value addition and attract more markets in the South Nyanza region.
Ruth Okeyo, Fishmongers and Chairperson of Awendo Samaki, praised the efforts of the ABDP to enhance the fishing industry, highlighting that the smart kiosks will act as an important cold storage facility to reduce fish spoils and wastages.
“The main problem the fishmongers have been facing at the market is the perishability of the fish. Putting up smart kiosks with installed cold storage in the marketplaces will reduce fish spoilage and boost our daily income,” said Okeyo.
By Geoffrey Makokha
