Rural communities in Likuyani Sub County have received a donation of 44,000 fingerlings from the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) through its funded Aquaculture Business Development Programme in partnership with the County government of Kakamega.
Speaking during the stocking of Siyenga dam in Likuyani ward, Likuyani Sub county fisheries officer Mr. Francis Chengoli said the programme is aimed at bolstering the national fish production as well as to improve the livelihoods and food security.
“Fish farming is one of many areas the County government of Kakamega in partnership with other donors are investing to attain the goal on food security and also improve nutrition of citizens,” said Mr. Cheng’oli.
He said through the programme locals will be able to take advantage of the high demand for fish and make extra returns while still getting a good balanced diet.
Mr. Cheng’oli noted that fish farming will not only provide residents with much needed protein but also create employment to thousands of jobless residents.
He said they chose to use public dams to ensure that even those residents who don’t have land also participate in the fish farming.
“These dams have been left idle for a long time, this is one way of developing and managing them through this community project,” said the fisheries officer.
He said residents will not enter into the expenses of feeding the fingerlings saying they will feed on natural available feeds in the aquatic ecosystem.
“We are using what we call capture fisheries where we are advising the community around here to just protect the fingerlings from predators; they will not be required to feed them until maturity,” said Chengoli.
During the exercise, 22,000 fingerlings were stocked in Siyenga dam in Likuyani ward with a similar number also being stocked in Lugulu dam in Sango ward.
Residents led by the Siyenga dam committee chairman Christopher Nyongesa lauded the programme saying they will embrace fish farming in the area with aim of increasing returns.