Victory farms fish company has established a fingerlings incubator with a capacity of hatching 30 million tilapia fingerlings annually.
The Director of Aquaculture at the Kenya Fisheries Service Simon Macharia said that the incubator will go a long way in bridging the fish deficit in Kenya.
He noted that according to data, the country has a deficit of 450,000 metric tons of fish.
The Director launched the hatchery in Victory Farms headquarters in Rowo village in Suba South Constituency, Homa Bay County.
The company rears fish in Lake Victoria through cages. The eggs obtained from the fish are collected and taken to the hatchery.
Also present during the launch were Homa Bay County Executive Committee Member for Blue Economy Sarah Malit and Victory Farms’ Co-founder Steve Moran.
Mr. Moran said they intend to boost fish production in the area to meet the country’s growing demand.
“Our research findings has revealed that there is shortage of tilapia in this country. In order to bridge the gap, this company has come up with this hatchery to enhance production of more fish in Kenya,” Moran said.
He said the fingerlings will be taken to branches of Victory Farms in various parts of the country.
Macharia hailed the company for supporting farmer groups to rear fish through aquaculture projects.
“The government is putting various efforts to bridge the annual fish deficit of 450, 000 metric tonnes. One of them is private –public partnership that is happening here,” Macharia said.
Malit said the government is committed to promoting cage fish farming to reduce fishing pressure on Lake Victoria.
“These fingerlings will promote fish farming in fish ponds and the lake as well and eventually reduce conflicts in Lake Victoria,” Malit said.
She said the county government was committed to creating enabling environment for the private sector to establish ventures which enhance aquaculture in the area.
“We will continue to create enabling environment for investors to boost fish production in this county,” Malit said.
Local residents expressed optimism that the project will create employment for residents.
The Secretary of Kaksingri Council of Elders Joab Ikawa said the project has turned out to be source of livelihoods for the locals.
“This project is going to employ young people in this region. It will also enable retirees engage in fish farming,” Ikawa said.
By Davis Langat
