State unable to cope with interest in fish farming

More growers in Central Province are taking up fish farming, leaving the Government unable to cope with a rising demand for ponds.

“I do not even understand it myself. Everyone is scrambling to transform this region into a Lake Victoria ... we don’t have a lake here but we are now headed to becoming competitors in fish production,” says Lilian Mwende, a fisheries officer in Kiambu district.

The transformation started late last year when the Government released Sh8 million for fish farming in 140 constituencies each under the Economic Stimulus Programme (ESP).

Those interested were required to present their proposals to the District’s Fisheries Department.

The benchmark to qualify was having an adequate piece of land that had a permanent source of water.

Government officers would then dig a pond measuring 300 square metres for the qualified farmer.

Each pond was then stocked with 3,000 fingerlings. Today, every farmer with such qualifications wants a fish pond established in their farm.

“For once we are moving in tandem with the farmers. This is one project that is registering marvellous success and personally I am happy for them,” Central Provincial Commissioner Kiplimo Rugut says.

He says the area has the potential to create a cottage industry capable of expanding the job market.

“Another thing I must appreciate is the work ethic of the locals and their persistence even in the face of setbacks,” he says.

One such farmer is Mrs Agnes Gathecha who besides embracing the fish pond project has gone ahead and established three additional private ponds in her farm.

“My primary interest was to farm fish for subsistence and beautification within my compound, but now I have realised fish farming is one of the most lucrative forms of agriculture. You do not depend on rain or the size and the type of your farm,” she says.

Already in horticulture, dairy and poultry farming, she wants to take fish farming seriously and use it to boost her income.

“Besides participating in Government procedures clustering us into cooperatives for easier and convenient marketing, I am already strategizing on opening a fish restaurant in Githunguri Township,” she says.

The fish farmers have been conducting a market survey in which they have been donating fish to area restaurants to enrich menus and the feedback has been encouraging.