Kwale Governor Fatuma Achani has called on local fisher folks to join cooperative societies so as to improve their welfare since fisheries have high potential for economic growth.
Governor Achani said the cooperative concept ensures that the fisher folks have access to finance, markets and technology thus boosting their productivity.
Achani urged the farmers to form or join cooperatives to benefit from the various government driven programs aimed at increasing their income.
She said her administration was determined to boost fish production in the region through fishermen cooperatives as effective machinery for improvement of economic and social welfare of small-scale fisher folks.
Achani observed that by joining fishers’ groups, members benefit from cooperative subsidies and incentives noting that the devolved unit was investing heavily in bolstering the county’s fisheries sector.
“Joining cooperatives ensures that the fisher folks are included in the formal economic sector and ensure a staple food supply,” she said, adding that the devolved government is out to ensure Kwale becomes a major fishery player in the coastal region.
She noted ‘by working together, fisher folks are able to pool resources and expertise to ensure that they have a sustainable source of income’.
The first female governor for Kwale county said by forming cooperatives, the fisher folks are able to access funding from the national and devolved government which could be used to purchase equipment such as boats, fishing gear and other essential fishing tools.
The County boss said her administration continues to support the growth of the fisheries sector by providing subsidized fishing equipment in order to increase the profitability of their livelihood.
She said her administration is turning its focus on the blue economy sector by distributing fishing boats with nets and outboard motors, cooler boxes, flares, bond liners, GPS gadgets, life rafts, lifesaving rings and life jacket floats to fishermen in a bid to turn fishing into a profitable venture.
“Kwale is a coastal region. We have the Indian Ocean and it is important that we take advantage of this maritime resource for economic benefits,” said Achani.
Achani spoke when she received in her office a delegation from the Kenya Fish Marketing Authority and Fish Levy Trust Fund led by their Chief Executive Officers (CEO) Samuel Onyango and Dr. Beatrice Akunga respectively.
Onyango said the sensitization forums are meant to help the BMUs to understand the importance of forming cooperatives that would help them attain higher fishing returns and promote economic growth.
He urged local fishermen to join cooperatives so that they could make their savings as well as benefit with other services like insurance, loans as well as grants offered by state and non-state actors.
The Fish Marketing Authority CEO said cooperatives would also enable the fishermen to get value addition for their products through establishment of the fish processing plants.
Onyango urged the fisher folks to be focused and strive to improve the value chain in the subsector describing fish farming as a lucrative business.
The sensitization activities target fishermen, fish mongers and BMUs from Vanga, Kibuyuni, Mkwiro, Gazi, Mkunguni, Tsunza and Bonje fishing areas.
Dr. Akunga said that cold storage facilities are crucial for the sustainable development of the fishing industry noting that with proper cold storage facilities, fishermen could preserve their catch for longer periods, reducing spoilage and ensuring that fish retain their freshness.
“The Fish Levy Trust Fund recognizes the importance of cold storage facilities and is committed to supporting the development of these facilities in fishing communities, by providing supplementary funding. The Fund helps to improve the livelihoods of fishermen and strengthen the fishing industry,” she said.
Officials from the authority were in the coastal county on a sensitization tour on the formation of cooperatives by local Beach Management Units (BMUs).
Present during the meeting was the Deputy Governor Chirema Kombo, County Executive for Agriculture Roman Shera among other senior officials.
By Hussein Abdullahi and Mary Aluoch
