More than 1,600 fish farmers in Siaya are set to benefit from a six-year programme aimed at boosting aquaculture, Siaya county executive committee member for agriculture and fisheries, Dr. Elizabeth Odhiambo has said.
Dr Odhiambo said the multimillion-shilling programme, funded by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and the national government aims at reducing poverty and increasing food security and nutrition in rural communities.
She was speaking during the launch of the Aquaculture Business development Programme (ABDP) in Ugunja Sub County. “The programme targets 1647 small holder fish farmers and will also benefit 312 youths who will be trained to offer supporting services on aquaculture,” said Dr. Odhiambo adding that at the end of the project period, they envisage to have 43 fish farming groups.
She said that the programme will strictly be for fish farmers, adding that cage fish farmers will not benefit.
Odhiambo said that currently, Siaya County has 1,200 active fish pond farmers, some of whom started aquaculture through the support of the economic stimulus package.
She said that the new programme will be implemented in Siaya county’s 19 wards, adding that her office had already conducted the farmers’ needs assessment.
By Philip Onyango
