Fish farmers in Vihiga County have received a significant boost following the donation of 3,600 bags of fish feed by the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (NORAD). The support, provided through the Advancing Resilient Nutrition Sensitive Aquaculture Project (ARNSA), seeks to enhance sustainable fish farming and improve livelihoods across the county.
The initiative is being implemented under the Aquaculture Business Development Programme (ABDP) in partnership with the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and the County Government of Vihiga. Each of the 450 selected farmers is set to receive eight bags of high-quality feed as part of the programme’s effort to strengthen aquaculture value chains.
Governor Dr. Wilber Khasilwa Ottichillo hailed the donation as a timely intervention, especially as most farmers approach their harvest season. He noted that fish farming is a key economic activity that can uplift local communities by reducing poverty and improving household nutrition. The governor acknowledged delays in dispatching the consignment from the national government and praised farmers for their patience and resilience in maintaining their fish stock during the waiting period.
Plans are underway to establish a fish feed factory at the Mwitoko Aquaculture Center to make feed more affordable and accessible to local farmers. The county is also developing a five-year aquaculture programme to provide continuous training, input supply, and technical assistance to enhance productivity. In collaboration with the National Agricultural Value Chain Development Project (NAVCDP), an agricultural college will soon be launched to train farmers on modern, sustainable, and climate-smart practices.
According to the County Executive Committee Member for Agriculture, Livestock, and Fisheries, the aquaculture initiative is inclusive and benefits women, youth, and persons with disabilities. Outlets have already been established in Kaimosi and Chavakali, managed by youth and women’s groups respectively, to encourage local fish consumption and marketing.
The county also plans to set up fish kiosks to improve access to markets and promote aquaculture as a profitable venture. The fish feed donation marks a major milestone in strengthening Vihiga’s aquaculture industry, ensuring farmers have the resources they need to achieve sustainable production and improve community livelihoods.
