Nyeri County topped nationally winning a trophy on emerging as the best in Aquaculture Innovation following an impressive presentation on the use of a sawdust hatchery system, greenhouse, and Re-circulating Aquaculture System (RAS). This was during the Aquaculture Business Development Programme (ABDP) 4th Annual National Stakeholders Review Workshop held in Mukurwe-ini, Nyeri County.
The ABDP Stakeholders Review workshop brought together all the Program-implementing counties, partners, aquaculture farmers, input suppliers, fish traders, and entrepreneurs within the aquaculture value chain. The overall objective of the National Workshop was to review implementation progress attained so far, review challenges encountered during the implementation, and find solutions to inherent difficulties during implementation.
During the review workshop themed ‘Aquaculture for Improved Livelihoods’ – The Next Frontier, Nyeri County ABDP was ranked position one out of the 16 implementing counties. The programme is being implemented in the following 16 counties of Nyeri, Meru, Busia, Homabay, Kirinyaga, Siaya, Kakamega, Kisii, Machakos, Kajiado, and Kisumu. Others are Migori, Embu, Kiambu, Tharaka-Nithi and Vihiga counties.
Governor Kahiga was represented by the Department of Agriculture, Livestock and Aquaculture CECM James Wachihi.
Through an innovation, Peter Nyika, a fish farmer in Gatitu Nyeri Sub County has discovered a system that has seen him improve fish farming innovation. In a re-circulating aquaculture system, the water used to raise fish is continuously purified and reused. It is like a closed circuit, where waste products like solid waste, ammonium, and carbon dioxide are either removed or converted into non-toxic substances. The clean water is then replenished with oxygen and sent back to the fish tanks.
Advantages of Farming in RAS include a controlled fish environment, low water and energy use, efficient land use, optimal feeding, easy fish grading and harvesting and full disease control.
After six years of fish farming, Peter is proud of the progress he has made. He is particularly impressed with the efficiency of the re-circulatory system, which has helped him avoid disappointments during harvest.
Maureen Gathigia ABDP CPC, notes that farmers received support in the form of pond liners and fish feeds, reducing operational costs. Further, the County Government of Nyeri and ABDP have been supporting fish farming by providing fingerlings, fish farming inputs, and extension support to farmers in Nyeri County.
The county government of Nyeri attributes the success to the commitment of Governor Kahiga in promoting aquaculture in Nyeri County. The county adds that it also reflects the collaborative efforts of the Department of Agriculture, Livestock and Aquaculture with the ABDP Nyeri faction, as well as the dedication of the resilient county staff.
The ABDP is a program jointly funded by the Government of Kenya and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD). The overall goal of the program is to reduce poverty and increase food security and nutrition in rural communities.
Fish is filled with Omega-3 fatty acids and vitamins such as D and B2 (riboflavin). Fish is also rich in calcium and phosphorus and a great source of minerals, such as iron, zinc, iodine, magnesium, and potassium.
