North Rift rolls out plan in push for fish farming

Counties in the North Rift have embarked on a programme to empower farmers to embrace fish.

The county government of Uasin Gishu in collaboration with the national government yesterday launched an initiative that seeks to promote fish farming.

Governor Jackson Mandago’s administration is set to receive 100,000 fingerlings from the national government.

Agriculture Chief Administrative Secretary (CAS) Jebii Kilimo said the government has already given the devolved unit 40,000 fingerlings which were introduced in Kerita and Kesses dams.

“Some 100,000 fingerlings have been allocated for Uasin Gishu County but we have started with Kerita and Kesses dams where each will get 20,000 fingerlings. Six other dams will get 10,000 fingerlings each,” said Ms Kilimo.

The fish farming plan, Ms Kilimo said seeks to restock major dams in the county, adding that the project looks to address malnutrition, following research that revealed 30 percent of children in the devolved unit are suffering from malnutrition.

Deputy Governor Daniel Chemno said the initiative will help create jobs for the locals and provide sufficient supply of proteins.

“We have been highly deficient in our production and this initiative will help bridge that gap,” said Mr Chemno.

The county also targets to distribute 500,000 fingerlings to 24 dams across the region.

Under ‘Fish Friday’ initiative Uasin Gishu residents are taught how to prepare and consume fish. The project is a partnership with the University of Eldoret.

According to Agriculture executive Samuel Yego, currently the shortage of fish in the region has forced traders to import from Uganda where production is higher.

“Traders and owners of eateries import an estimated two tonnes of fish from Uganda per day for consumption in Eldoret and other urban centres in the county,” said Mr Yego.

Consumption of fish in the region, he added, has grown tremendously in the last four years and projection shows an even higher demand for fish in the region hence the decision to sensitise more farmers to venture into the sector.

The devolved unit in partnership with the university is developing breeds, including Tilapia and Catfish, that will be supplied to farmers to boost production among others.

Livestock and Fisheries chief officer Dr Victoria Tarus said a dam like Kongeluk in Turbo sub-county has been stocked with 30,000 fingerlings.

“We urge the beneficiaries to ensure that the dams are not contaminated to avoid suffocation of the fingerlings,” said Dr Tarus.

The county government has banned activities such as washing of clothes and motorbikes in the dams to avoid contamination.