Aquaculture for all

North Rift Farmers Take to Aquaculture

Technology & equipment Economics Politics +3 more

KENYA - What began like a hobby is slowly but surely growing into a lucrative business, as North Rift residents embrace fish farming as an alternative source of income.

Traditionally, residents relied heavily on maize and wheat farming, besides dairy production for their income, says DailyNation. However, according to the news organisation, fish farming is proving to be among the fastest growing commercial ventures in the region.

Statistics from the fisheries department indicate that more than 300 farmers in the area have adapted fish farming. To enable them embrace the new investment, Moi University’s department of fisheries and marines provides them with fish-lings and sensitises them on modern fish farming techniques, including construction of ponds.

According to the head of the department Dr Boaz Kaunda, Nile patch, tilapia and catfish are the common breed of fish reared by the farmers. “The high cost of farm inputs has forced some farmers in the region to adapt fish farming, which they consider to be less expensive and fetches attractive market prices,” he told DailyNation.

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