Aquaponics farming is rapidly gaining traction in Vihiga County, thanks to ongoing support from the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (NORAD) through the Advancing Resilient Nutrition Sensitive Aquaculture (ARNSA) project, which is being implemented in partnership with the Aquaculture Business Development Programme (ABDP). A recent monitoring mission reviewed progress, identified challenges, and discussed the way forward as the project approaches its conclusion at the end of the year.
The ABDP team visited several project sites, including the Busali Fish Farmers Group, Moi Girls Vokoli integrated farming site, the developing aquaponics system at Kaimosi Friends Vocational Training Centre, and the Mwitoko Aquaculture Centre.
During the visit to Busali, group representative Sammy Aradi highlighted the benefits farmers have received, noting that all 450 mapped beneficiaries were supplied with bird and predator nets, fingerlings, fish feeds, training, and capacity-building support to strengthen long-term sustainability. He acknowledged challenges such as delays in fish-feed distribution but said farmers adapted. “Some are already harvesting, while others are expected to harvest in December,” he said.
ABDP Aquaculture Specialist Ruth Lewo Mwarabu praised farmers for embracing innovative technologies, especially alternative feeds such as azola and blood meal. She explained that the project provided 50 per cent support while farmers contributed the rest.
County Executive Committee Member for Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries, Julius Maruja, added that farmers will continue to access fingerlings from the Mwitoko Fish Farm at KES 5 each and assured that agricultural extension officers will keep offering technical support. He said the project is also constructing fish kiosks for aggregation, marketing, and value addition across key sites in the county.
However, the centrepiece of the mission’s findings was the rapid advancement of aquaponics in Vihiga. At Kaimosi Friends Vocational Training Centre, officials inspected a modern aquaponics system being established through support from the county government and strategic partners.
County Project Coordinator Wilson Munala briefed the team on the system’s expected impact, noting that the integration of fish farming and crop production will enhance practical learning while promoting sustainable food production. Kaimosi Vocational Training Centre Manager Zadock Munala welcomed the project’s contribution to education and food systems. “The school is grateful for this support, and we are committed to ensuring the initiative thrives,” he said.
The centre plans to construct two fish ponds to complement the aquaponics unit, and it is also one of the designated locations for the new fish kiosks being installed under the NORAD–ARNSA project.
As December approaches, farmers linked to the wider programme are gearing up for harvests, signalling a major milestone for aquaculture and the expanding aquaponics movement in Vihiga County.
