A number of youths are set to benefit from the Kamarinyang’ fish-ponds project in Amukura Central Ward in Teso South Sub County.
The Sh60 million project which is a joint venture between the Busia County government and the World Bank through Kenya Climate Smart Agriculture Programme (KCSAP), is aimed at cushioning the youths from the negative socio-economic impact of the Coronavirus pandemic.
Under the Kamarinyang’ labour-intensive project, 1000 youths are engaged in the construction of 100 ponds with each pocketing a stipend of Sh5, 000. Besides the economic benefits, the project would also offer training to farmers on new technologies in fish production.
“Apart from offering job opportunities to the youth and women, the aqua park aggregated project is aimed at increasing fish production, boast farmers’ incomes, create employment at the grassroots and alleviate poverty,” said Busia Governor Sospeter Ojaamong.
Increase fish yields
The Deputy Governor Moses Mulomi disclosed that already, 50 ponds have been excavated and once complete, the project would spur economic development of the area noting that besides the economic benefits to farmers, fish has a nutritious value.
Similar projects were going on in other parts of the county and that so far, 100 aggregated ponds have been constructed at Bukani (Bunyala Sub County), 70 at Katelenyang (Teso South Sub County), 70 at Siunga (Butula Sub County) and over 200 fish cages in Lake Victoria in Bunyala Sub County. The County Fisheries Director Timothy Odende said the project is a milestone geared towards bringing development to the grassroots.
“Each pond is expected to produce 300 kilograms with 100 ponds set to produce 30 tons. The County government is targeting to increase fish yields to Sh1billion by 2022 with a desire to take the lead in the country in fish production. Other benefits accompanying the pond construction include fencing of the fish ponds, availing nets to protect fish and construction of a building for installation of cold storage facilities and a restaurant,” he stated.
The World Bank sponsored fish value-chain development project targets over one million youths from the lake region with an aim of cushioning them against the negative impact of Coronavirus pandemic.
The project dubbed ‘jobless lives matter,’ is being implemented in the counties of Busia, Siaya, Kisumu and Kakamega and engages the youths who mostly lost their jobs and sources of livelihood in aquaculture and other areas along the fish value chain.
