Aquaculture groups in Nyeri County, Kenya receive US$55K grant for fish farming

KENYA – A total of 42 aquaculture groups in Nyeri County are receiving a US$55,833 grant from the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) to support fish farming projects.

The funds are part of a larger US$852,778 grant issued by Mining, Blue Economy, and Maritime Affairs Cabinet Secretary Hassan Joho during an event in Kakamega County.

The grant is meant to facilitate the Aquaculture Business Development Program (ABDP) across 14 counties in Kenya.

Kakamega is receiving US$124,306, while Meru is allocated US$66,444, and Migori is getting US$61,875.

Kisii has been awarded US$61,250, Homa Bay US$57,361, and Busia US$57,222.

Kiambu is set to receive US$54,722, Kisumu US$51,389, and Siaya US$50,000.

Embu and Machakos will each receive US$45,417, while Tharaka Nithi is getting US$44,583.

Kirinyaga has been allocated US$39,417, while Kajiado will receive US$39,028.

Nyeri County ABDP program coordinator Maureen Gathigia says most of the funds will go to eight youth and women-led Aquaculture Support Enterprises (ASE).

Thirty-two Aquaculture Field Schools (AFS) will receive a combined US$22,222, with each school allocated US$694.

Two Smallholder Aquaculture Groups will share US$9,167 to improve value addition and fish feed formulation.

Gathigia says the grant is expected to help increase fish production in Nyeri by improving access to markets and new farming techniques.

She notes that the county is working to promote aquaculture as a source of nutrition and income for residents.

The funds are expected to support training, fish feed production, and marketing for local farmers.

She adds that youth and women involved in ASEs may use the support to establish more fish eateries in the county.

Kenya’s fishing industry is trying to expand as production declined in 2023 to 161,000 metric tons.

This included 121,000 metric tons of freshwater fish and 40,000 metric tons of marine fish.

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