Farmers in Lugari sub county have been urged to diversify to fish farming as a sure way of strengthening their incomes and cushioning themselves against poverty.
Speaking while presenting fingerlings to groups and individual farmers in Lugari, the sub county Fisheries officer Mr. Caleb Sifuna underlined the value of fish farming arguing that it ensured increased domestic incomes and at the same time provides a balanced diet.
Compared to crop farming which required huge tracts of land, he said fish farming required only a small acreage but guaranteed huge returns.
He said though the fingerlings were bought by farmers, his office gave technical advice by training them through Aquaculture field schools established in four wards in the sub county and also sourced for good quality fingerlings for the farmers.
He, however, noted that the County government of Kakamega had set a side millions of shillings in the 2020/21 budget with a view to promoting fish farming.
He said a total of 720 farmers will benefit from the County subsidy programme which targets 60 farmers from each sub county who will get fingerlings and pellets for a subsidized price.
Lauding farmers from Mautuma, Lugari, Lwandeti and Chevaywa wards for embracing fish farming by forming Aquaculture field schools that have enabled them get training, sink ponds and stock them, Sifuna urged farmers from Lumakanda and Chekalini wards to emulate their colleagues and empower themselves economically noting that it was the only way the regions will be able to fight widespread poverty.
He advised willing farmers to contact his office for further extension services adding that so many new technologies are currently emerging.