Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru has extended the distribution of free fish feeds to fish farmers in the county to boost aquaculture.

The drive has benefitted 335 fish farmers and is set to enhance the production of fish amid a rising demand for fish in the Mt Kenya region, for domestic and commercial consumption.

254 of the said beneficiaries earlier received 254,000 fingerlings from Kirinyaga County to support their venture into fish farming and development of the lucrative business.

Waiguru says the move is part of her county’s pledge to empower farmers to embrace aquaculture and diversify their agricultural activities to expand their revenue sources.

“Under the fisheries program, we have been supporting farmers by providing them with free fishpond liners, fingerlings and six months fish feed,” said Waiguru.

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She added, “The farmers on the other hand were expected to construct the fishponds and thereafter nurture the fish to maturity. Proceeds from the harvest should then be used to replenish their ponds with more fingerlings in order to sustain the project.”

The governor, who is also the Council of Governors (COG) Chairperson, said that fish farming project is one of the key constituents of her Wezesha Kirinyaga Economic Program.

“In February, I got 1,000 tilapia fingerlings as well as liners and this helped me start my fish farming business. Now the county government has given us fish feed which mitigates the tough task of having to go to Sagana to buy them ourselves,” said Felister Wandia, a fish farmer who hails from Kiambagathi.

Dr John Gachara, the County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Agriculture and Livestock Development, says the project is targeting to assist at least 1,700 farmers.