Coast

Kwale County gives small scale fish farmers 3,600 Nile tilapia fingerlings

Kwale County officials are pictured with members of the Nuru, Gandini and Ufanisi women's self-help groups in Ndavaya, during the distribution of 284 galla goats on April 15, 2024. (Photo: Mishi Gongo)

By Mishi Gongo | Tuesday, April 16, 2024

The project aims to improve the livelihoods of coastal communities through fish farming, thereby reducing over-reliance on marine resources.

Smallholder farmers from Kwale County have a reason to smile as the county government has issued them fish fingerlings.

The recipients of 3,600 Nile tilapia fingerlings are the 15 members of the Lamukeni Youth Group from Mackinnon Road Ward.

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Joseph Kazungu, one of the beneficiaries, said the Kenya Marine Fisheries and Socio-Economic Development (KEMFSED) project will significantly improve their lives.

"We are grateful for this project because it will help us improve our lives. We have been trained on how to care for them and have a ready market," he said.

Kazungu said the group comprises youth keen on self-employment through farming.

During the issuance on Monday, Kwale Deputy Governor Chirema Kombo said the farmers will oversee the growth of the fish and, in the long run, pay a customs duty for domestic and commercial purposes.

Kwale County officials and fish farmers prepare to place 3,600 Nile tilapia fingerlings in a pond on April 15, 2024. (Photo: Mishi Gongo)

The fingerlings are housed in freshwater ponds constructed and lined by the county government under the KEMFSED project, which falls under the Department of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries.

"The county is dedicated to enriching the lives of its people through empowerment programmes that will foster growth and development, and encourage entrepreneurship," Kombo said, adding that farmers will be self-reliant.

He said the project also aims to improve the livelihoods of coastal communities through fish farming, thereby reducing over-reliance on marine resources.

Present at the event were Roman Sheria, the Kwale County executive for Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries, and Chief Officer of Agriculture Joseph Jabu.

The team also issued 284 galla goats to the Nuru, Gandini and Ufanisi women's self-help groups in Ndavaya.

The deputy governor said the main objective was to increase households' incomes and improve local goat breeds.

Kombo urged the farmers to support government projects and take good care of the animals to obtain value for money.