Youth in Vihiga County have begun benefiting from fish value-addition initiatives aimed at transforming livelihoods and creating employment opportunities in the agriculture sector.
The youth are shifting from traditional fish farming to value addition practices such as processing, marketing, and input supply. This includes transforming raw fish into higher-value products like fillets, samosas, and smoked fish.
The initiative is expected to increase profits, reduce post-harvest losses, and create diverse job opportunities for young men and women in the county.
The programme is being implemented under the Aquaculture Business Development Programme (ABDP) through the Advancing Resilient Nutrition-Sensitive Aquaculture (ARNSA) project.
The project is funded by the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (NORAD) in partnership with the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and the Vihiga County Government.
A team comprising ABDP officials, consultants, and other stakeholders visited Kaimosi Vocational Training Centre on Tuesday to hand over a fish processing kiosk to 16 selected youth from Shiru ward Aquaculture Group, who will spearhead the value-added venture.
The delegation also engaged the youth to understand how they plan to run and sustain the business including sourcing fish from local farmers and processing and marketing the products.
Speaking during the visit, IFAD consultant and researcher Kevin Obiero said the team was keen on incorporating the views of the youth.
“We want to hear from you and pick a few ideas on how you want the project to be implemented,” he said.
The youth, led by Ruth Atioli, expressed readiness to run the business.
“We are looking forward to beginning operations. We hope to add value and expand our market, especially by supplying eateries,” said Atioli.
She added that fish traders will no longer need to travel to Kisumu as they can now source products locally.
The youth Aquaculture Group currently manages 10 fish ponds, providing a steady supply of raw fish for processing.
Vihiga County Project Coordinator Wilson Munala emphasized the need for sustainability through formal agreements.
“For sustainability of the project, there must be a Memorandum of Understanding outlining terms and conditions once the facility is handed over to the county government,” he said.
The ABDP team further assessed the group’s preparedness to sustain the business through adoption of modern technology, market access and production capacity. The facility is already equipped with essential tools, including a deep fryer.
The ARNSA project, implemented through ABDP in partnership with IFAD and the Vihiga county government, is part of a broader NORAD-funded initiative targeting pilot counties including Nyeri and Migori Counties.
The programme seeks to strengthen aquaculture practices, enhance food security, improve nutrition and boost incomes for smallholder farmers.
by Rose Wasike
