The Kenya Climate Smart Agriculture Programme through the County Government of Busia has disbursed Sh750, 000 to 150 youth for constructing fish ponds.
The youth from Siunga Village in Marachi North Ward were paid Sh5, 000 each after digging ponds in the area.
Speaking during the disbursement of the funds on Wednesday, Busia Deputy Governor Moses Mulomi said that the project will help improve economic growth of the area.
“Already 40 fish ponds have been excavated by 450 youth and women who have been offered job opportunities to excavate the ponds which have been embraced by the local community,” he said.
Mulomi added that the project is expected to reap Sh8 Million after six or so months with each pond producing 350 kilograms of fish, noting that this will be a major boost in creating a multiplier effect that will spur economic growth due to economies of scale.
“Apart from many financial, fish also has numerous nutritional benefits,” he said, adding that the county government has also constructed 100 aggregated ponds at Bukani, 70 at Katelenyang and over 200 fish cages at Lake Victoria in Bunyala Sub County.
Busia Chief Executive Committee Member for Agriculture Dr. Moses Osia said the partnership between the County Government and KCSAP disbursed Sh60 million to groups including those from Marachi North and South Wards.
“The aqua park aggregated project is aimed at increasing fish production, income for farmers, bringing employment to the grassroots and poverty reduction,” he said.
Busia County Director of Fisheries, Timothy Odende said during the advent of devolution fish farming was hampered by lack of hatcheries, feeds and fragmented markets, adding that the County government was targeting to increase fish yields to Sh1billion by 2022 with the desire to lead the country in fish production.
By Salome Alwanda
