Youth in Kisumu are set to benefit from a new aquaculture programme that combines finance, training, and mentorship. The initiative aims to improve food security while empowering young people with sustainable agribusiness opportunities.
Loans to Boost Fish Farming
The Youth Enterprise Development Fund (YEDF), Aquaculture Barn, and a local bank have partnered to support 21 youth groups. Each group will receive up to Ksh1 million in loans to set up fish cages and start rearing fish.
The programme will run in two cohorts. Each cohort will have 10 or 11 youth groups. After harvesting, the groups will sell their fish, and part of the income will go toward repaying the loans. This revolving model is designed to ensure that more young people can benefit in the future.
Training and Mentorship
Aquaculture Barn, a Kisumu-based innovation hub, will lead the training. The organisation specializes in helping young fish farmers gain the skills they need to succeed. From setting up cages to managing harvests, the youth groups will receive end-to-end support.
Cage aquaculture, where fish are reared in cages anchored in natural water bodies, is especially popular in the Lake Victoria region. A single cage can produce several tonnes of fish, but proper training is vital to achieve maximum yields.
Supporting Food Security and Jobs
The initiative supports the government’s wider goal of boosting agriculture and reducing youth unemployment. In March, YEDF partnered with the Hustler Fund to offer young entrepreneurs loans of up to Ksh5 million.
By linking finance, training, and mentorship, the aquaculture programme offers more than capital. It provides a pathway for Kisumu’s youth to build businesses, increase incomes, and strengthen food security in the region.
