State Backs Fish Farming Project

The scheme allows villagers to buy shares in fish ponds and benefit from the proceeds.

The concept was originated by Charles Ndung'u, who built a fish pond at his home in Ihwa in Nyeri South District, an area known better for growing maize, beans and potatoes, according to Business Daily Africa.

Mr Ndung'u formed the Ihwa Farmers Fish and Bacon Company and dug more than 20 ponds in the district and asked interested villagers to register with Sh500 with the opportunity to buy shares valued up to Sh40,000.

The project has about 500 members and is nearing its first harvest.

The country’s fisheries department is now looking to this method to ease the pressure from the main fish production areas.

"This is a key area that will ease pressure from marine and inland waters fish production," Maina Gichuri, the chief fisheries officer told Business Daily.

"Our strategy is to commercialise aquaculture to boost incomes."

The state sees this as a way to benefit communities, who have land that is not being used near major waterways in non-fish producing areas.

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