Fish farming has experienced tremendous growth in Tharaka Nithi County, serving both household consumption and commercial purposes.
In response to this positive trend, the Tharaka Nithi County Government has taken deliberate steps to support local fish farmers by ensuring the availability of quality and affordable fingerlings produced by local hatcheries, access to high-quality fish feed manufactured at the Chumara Fish Feeds Factory, and the establishment of reliable market linkages.
As part of these ongoing efforts, the County Fisheries Chief Officer, Antony Kiruja issued several oxygen cylinders to enhance the safe transportation of fingerlings and Hapa Nets to four hatcheries.
The Hapa Nets are ideal for brooder spawning, juvenile rearing, and protecting young fish from predators.
“Fish farming in Tharaka Nithi is growing at a very high rate thanks to farmers’ commitments and willingness from the County government in supporting them. Farmers usually have various challenges including access to quality fingerlings and this is the reason we are supporting local hatcheries so that we can shorten the distance of sourcing them from far-flung areas,” said Kiruja.
He added that all these efforts were geared towards ensuring that farmers get the value for their money and be able to cater for other needs including payment of schools fees for their children.
He encouraged farmers in the county to come up with more hatcheries assuring them of the government’s support to ensure they succeed.
“We have eight hatcheries in the County at the moment and we are committed to supporting and monitoring them to ensure production of quality fingerlings for our farmers,” said Kiruja.
In addressing market issues, Kiruja said the government has already established a fresh fish market at Chuka where farmers can take their mature fish for sale.
This initiative underscores the County Government’s commitment to promoting sustainable aquaculture and improving livelihoods across the county.
By Dickson Mwiti
