Migori County fishing community has received a Ksh 6 million grant from the European Union (EU) to fund and expand the fishing activities in Lake Victoria.
Migori County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Agriculture Lucas Mosenda said the resources will be channeled towards fishing project that will enhance and improve the livelihood of the community by promoting economic growth in the region as well as integrating farmers in commodity market.
The grant which will be implemented by the Blue Cross Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) will also aim to promote aquaculture to enhance the development of the fishing community at Sori-Nyatike to boost the fish production in the County.
The cash will further help to improve and expand the fish caging, training, boat acquisition, and other fishing equipment as well as enhance capacity building for the Beach Management Units (BMU).
Mosenda said that the generous funding will revolutionise the local economy by introducing modern aquaculture techniques like cage farming to boost traditional fishing methods.
He added the project had come at the right time and was in line with the county manifesto blueprint on improving the fishing enterprise in the County.
The official also affirmed that the grant will help the fishing community to focus on sustainable practices through the blue economy with the purpose of not only providing a consistent source of high-quality fish but also supporting the local Beach Management Units with fish cages, feeds and fingerlings.
The county has so far assisted six groups in Got Kacholla and Kachieng Wards in the expansive Nyatike Sub County with locally fabricated fishing gear worth Ksh 1.2 million.
Mosenda explained that already the county through the Department of Agriculture was supporting fish farmers with fish feeds, fingerlings, extension services, and rescue services to make the fishing enterprise lucrative.
He acknowledged that so far the county management has provided four cages to four BMUs within Lake Victoria while the EU grant will establish six additional fish cages.
Blue Cross NGO Director Erick Omondi acknowledged that the funded project will be implemented for 24 months to realise the intended purpose.
He affirmed that the NGO will be working closely with the county government, stakeholders, BMU officials, and the local authorities to ensure the project becomes a success as well as sustainable.
Eunice Atieno, one of the Tii Gi Wiyi Women Group and beneficiary of the project applauded the efforts the EU has made to boost the fishing capacity of the local fishing community.
She said that the project will empower them with the tools and knowledge to thrive in aquaculture to create a lasting positive change for the Sori fishing community.
Atieno however, urged the county government to continue assisting fish farmers with affordable fish feeds and fingerlings to help lower the cost of production and boost the economic standards of the community.
She also called upon other external partners to emulate the EU in trying to improve the lives of the residents at the county level.
KNA
