Uasin Gishu County is set to establish a hatchery that will supply farmers who are in cooperatives with enough quality fingerlings.
Speaking at an agricultural field day on Wednesday at Ainabkoi in Chepkoro, agriculture CO Victoria Chepkurui said that currently, the county fisheries department is facing a challenge procuring fingerlings. She said they are forced to buy from other hatcheries.
“We have a fish pond, but we lack enough fingerlings. Apart from the fingerlings we supplied you early this year, we got no more hence we have to purchase,” she said.
She added, “Soon we are planning to establish our own hatchery and I’m sure farmers will have enough quality fingerlings.”
Chepkurui said that fish farming is a high profit venture as it utilises the farm well. She said that raised ponds that can take any convenient size/shape will cost a farmer less than Sh30,000 and can hold 1,000 or more fish.
She added, “Fish farming is a good agri-business activity which can empower our women to be self-reliant by making them the managers. Take this opportunity and utilise the help given by the government. We will give you fingerlings and advice.”