Konate residents have been urged to take advantage of the growing fish market and rear fish as a source of income.
According to Nyamira South Sub-County Agriculture Officer, Elijah Mong’are, the area has enough water and it is easy to have a fishpond and rear fish in large numbers.
During an interview in his office on Tuesday, the officer said the area was suitable for rearing tilapia and catfish and since the species do well in other regions that have the same climate as Nyamira.
“It is unfortunate that the county imports over 950 metric tonnes of fish from other counties whereas we are capable of producing our own fish,” he said.
He said a standard fishpond which could accommodate 1,000 fingerlings would cost the farmer Sh35, 000, and that if the fingerlings were well taken care of, it only took eight months for the farmers to start harvesting.
“I encourage residents to harvest rain water in their dams and use it for rearing fish. The climate conditions in this area are friendlier for fish than in most parts of the country where it is too cold, making fish to grow slowly,” he said.
He applauded the few residents who have already embraced fish farming, saying though the county is famous for livestock, they were slowly diversifying their way of life.