Fish Farmers in Kisii County have called on the county government to help them register a fish farmers cooperative society sacco in the region to help them grow the business.
Farmers from the Igare fish farmers’ self-help group, led by their chairman John Mogaka said maize farming has not been doing well, and that they have been making loses from the fish business which looks promising, due to lack of a market and a cooperative society as a county.
“We would want to have a cooperative for fish farmers because when we have harvested, it becomes a challenge to sell since everyone makes sales on their own and the local market is quite unfavorable. It would be well if we had a Sacco and we do not know if the county government will help us have one,” he said.
The county Agriculture CeC Mr Vincent Sagwe however said that the fish section already has one registered Sacco known as the Acquacultural Association of Kenya, which the farmers are supposed to join to get help.
He also added that the national government has started the construction of a fish factory in Kisii.
“We want to encourage you to join the Acquacultural Association of Kenya, but what is discouraging is that the farmers decry not having Saccos but when asked to register they are reluctant,” said the CeC.