The Aquaculture Business Development Programme (ABDP) has given out Sh9.02 million in grants to Migori entrepreneur groups to empower them economically in the fish value chain.
Speaking in one of the hotels in Migori town during the presentation of the cheques, Migori County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Agriculture, Livestock and the Blue Economic, Lucas Mosenda, said that 44 groups will benefit from the grant that is supported by ABDP, funded by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD).
“We have 12 groups that have received Sh500,000 each with the rest receiving Sh100,000 in grants from ABDP, funded by IFAD to empower our entrepreneurs,” said Mosenda.
He said the grants will help fish farmers, fish processors, fish formulators and trainers to improve their productivity in aquaculture.
The official added that the county was at the forefront in boosting aquaculture to improve the economic activities of the county and the South Nyanza region.
Mosenda called upon the beneficiaries to utilise the funds well for sustainability and continuity of their ventures to generate income for their households as well as for the county.
County Chief Officer in Charge of Fisheries and blue economy, George Ochola, said that the grant will go a long way in changing the lives of the beneficiary groups.
“We want these groups who are in different lines of production; that is, feed formulation, value addition and fish farmers to utilise these funds prudently to boost their income generation”, said Ochola.
He also disclosed that the county extension officers will be doing a follow-up to ensure the funds are utilised for the right reasons to economically empower the groups.
Ochola explained that the county will continue to empower the fish farmers both within the lake and those from the inland to make Migori a rich aquaculture county.
“Through our good governance and conducive environment that Migori has offered, we aim to improve and expand our fish production to generate more income for our people”, said Ochola.
George Ouma from Suna East Sub County and Magdaline Wankwe from Kura region thanked the ABDP and the County for the initiative, promising to utilise the funds prudently to empower themselves economically.
By Makokha Khaoya
