Uasin Gishu county government is partnering with a research institution and farmers in a bid to meet the fast growing demand for fish and to most significantly cut on the volumes of the staple food’s imports from neighbouring country Uganda.
The county government, which is a cornerstone in trade for the rest of the eight North Rift counties, is keen on steering the fish farming project which is also a continuation of the national government’s Economic Stimulus Programme started about five years ago.
Traders and owners of eateries import an estimated 2.4 tons from Uganda per day, for consumption in Uasin Gishu’s capital of Eldoret and the rest of close urban centres.
Kisumu and Bungoma are other sources of fish consumed in Uasin Gishu.
“The county is putting a lot of emphasis on fish farming at the moment because we are also realizing growth in cosmopolitan population and the push to provide fish especially in Eldoret town,” Mr. Cosmas Langa’t director of livestock speaking on behalf of director of fisheries, said.
“Local farmers produce between 250 and 500kgs per day and that is why the county is stepping in to close the difference which is way below the volume imported,” Mr Lang’at noted.
University of Eldoret is undertaking research and development of fish breeds to see to it that the region gets the best “seeds” able to produce in the conditions.
The county buys the fingerlings and gives them to farmers with ponds and aquariums across the region.