Fish farmers in Vihiga County have received a major shot in the arm after a non-governmental organisation provided them with nets to protect fish from predators.
The Norwegian Agency for Development Corporation (NORAD) under the Advancing Resilient Nutrition Sensitive Aquaculture Project (ARNSA) supplied 900 nets to help thwart predators among them birds.
Vihiga County Executive Committee Member for Agriculture, Livestock, and Fisheries Nicholas Kitungulu, while receiving the nets at Nyangori Boys High School, said the same supplemented the county government’s efforts to boost aquaculture in the region.
“When we start distribution of fingerlings, these nets will go a long way in preventing pre- and post-production losses for farmers, thereby maximizing returns,” assured Kitungulu.
The county will supply fingerlings to 450 on-board farmers and institutions as it seeks to introduce a confined fish farming culture in the county.
Nyangori Boys High School is one of the institutions that will receive at least 1000 fingerlings. Other institutions expected to benefit include Moi Girls’ Vokolli.
However, the Mwitoko Hatchery and Aquaculture Training Centre that is expected to help satisfy fingerling demand in the county and beyond faces challenges including a lack of power and insecurity.
On his part, Regional Coordinator Aquaculture Business Development Program Kelly Omondi assured farmers that the fingerlings which are yet to be supplied will be of good quality as they are from authenticated hatcheries.
“We will supply the fingerlings in mid-March, which is the best time being a rainy season. The fingerlings meet the required standards,” assured Omondi.
By Rose Wasike
