Farmers in Keore village, Kenyenya Sub County, Kisii County have donated 10 acres of land to Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute in a partnership that will revamp fish farming in the county.
The farmers’ move is also bound to boost the country’s fish production which currently stands at 400,000 tons.
Speaking at the location during handing over of the land title deed, the secretary for the Keore KeMFRI project Zachariah Mayoga said the idea was subjected to public participation before the subdivision of the land which is underutilized as it is in a wetland.
Area DCC Henry Meto said the project would not only go a long way in providing a source of white meat which is healthy to the public, but also revamp the blue economy which accounts for billions of shillings.
Meto underscored the benefits to the community that would help achieve Vision 2030 including provision of jobs, learning experience for their children, and provide food security.
KeMFRI CEO James Njiru noted that the project would have a hatchery for quality fingerlings, which would benefit the community in earning five times what they could get from other crops from the same size of land.
He said it was one of the 12 such partnerships with the communities in the country including one in Meru, Turkana and Kwale.
He urged residents to embrace fish farming saying it was the best venture for Gusii region where subdivision of land was an emotive issue, requiring only a small portion to make much profit.
By Jane Naitore and Jefferson Volka
