Fish farmers in Vihiga County have benefited from free training as they seek to fully delve into aquaculture not only to improve nutrition but also as a business.
Under the Norwegians Agency for Development Corporation through the Advancing Resilient Nutrition Sensitive Aquaculture Project, 20 wards in Vihiga County will benefit from the project which aims at eradicating poverty amongst women and youth.
The project County Coordinator, Wilson Munala, called on the farmers to take advantage of the grant, to maximize income through aquaculture.
“At the end of the project, it is our hope that every farmer shall be economically stable and independent,” said Munala.
Munala said the project will address gaps experienced in the sector by providing quality fingerlings and fish feeds.
“In the past farmers experienced losses as the quality of feeds and fingerlings were not up to the required standards. We have sorted out the matter now,” said Munala.
The farmers will also receive training on how to produce as well as blend local fish feeds for sustainability of the project.
We intend to train farmers in black soldier Fly and earthworms breeding, which will not only address the high cost of feeds, but also ensure sustainability of the project, ” he said.
The ABDP Gender, Youth and Social inclusion Officer, Samuel Kamenju, emphasized the importance of organizing such important training sessions, to ensure everyone is involved, including women, youth, the elderly and persons with disability.
He advised the farmers to take the project as a business that will sustain their families and put the money they get after harvest into proper use, so as to be able to continue with the business come next season when the project ends.
“We organized this training for fish farmers to ensure everyone is covered, including women, youth and persons with disability and address the challenges that could hinder them to take the business to the expected level. Kamenju stated.
With aquaculture being a powerful tool to eradicate poverty in the country, Kamenju urged the farmers to apply the skills they get from the training and take fish farming as a serious business to generate income.
By Rose Wasike
