By Mwenda Njeru
Tharaka Nithi County Government has been lauded for implementing a very successful Aquaculture Business Development Program (ABDP) project that involves fish farming
The project currently in 15 counties with high aquaculture potential is jointly funded by the Government of Kenya and The International Fund for Agriculture Development (IFAD).
The programme focuses on establishing and strengthening smallholder business-oriented aquaculture organizations by supporting pond construction and improving productivity to promote the farmers’ economy, food security and nutrition.
It also aims at enhancing aquaculture value-added products through processing and increasing youth employment through aquaculture enterprises.
Officials from IFAD under the leadership of the country representative, Ms Mariatu Kamara and those from ABDP led by Mr Josphat Kirimi conducted a comprehensive review of the project in Igambang’ombe ward.
The officials were taken around the farms by the County Fisheries and Ecosystem Development Department Chief Officer Mr Anthony Kiruja who also pointed out the other contributions by the devolved government including the provision of extension services, cool boxes, fishing nets, freezers and fish feed.
“The objective of this visit is to meet fish farmers to know how they are progressing and what we could do to better the venture which will be coming to an end soon,” said Ms Kamara.
She said the project had so far achieved a great milestone but there was a need to establish whether farmers have been empowered enough to comfortably continue with the venture once the programme comes to an end.
In Igambangombe ward, a total of 27 farmers; 19 adult males, three adult females, two adult females, four male youth and one PWD came together to form Igambang’ombe Fish Farmers Small Holder Aquaculture Group back in the year 2020 and registered with the social services.
The farmers stock their ponds with tilapia and catfish fingerlings from one of them who has established a hatchery and so far they have stocked 48,100 out of which, 49950 are catfish and 5150 tilapia.
The harvested fish are sold within the area and others are consumed in the household while some youths are doing value addition by deep frying and can meet their financial needs.
The members have been trained on nutrition, establishing a kitchen garden, and how to integrate crop and fish farming using very fertile pond water and they are all growing vegetables and fruits.
The farmers stated that some of the major challenges of the venture are getting quality fingerlings and the high cost of fish feeds.
“We are in the process of writing a proposal to be funded by the programme on fish value addition,” said Ms Karegi Magondu, one of the farmers.
The group meets every last Thursday of the month to give reports, review the progress, discuss on other various issues and get training.
Apart from fish farming, the group engages in Table Banking and Merry Go Round activities.