This archive report was first published on 2 September 2019.
On September 2, 2019, the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) launched an eight-year aquaculture project in 15 Kenyan counties, with a budget of Sh15 billion.
The project aims to revive the country's aquaculture industry, which has seen a significant decline in recent years. According to Fisheries Principal Secretary Prof Micheni Ntiba, the country's annual fish production had grown from 2,000 metric tonnes to 60,000 tonnes in 2009, thanks to aquaculture. However, this has dropped to 12,000 tonnes.
Prof Ntiba attributed the decline to the fact that funds for aquaculture development were lumped up with other funds and not given priority. He urged county governments to partner with the private sector to implement the project and allocate funds for fish development.
Each of the 15 counties has been allocated at least Sh1 billion for the project, which includes Meru, Tharaka-Nithi, Embu, Isiolo, Laikipia, Kirinyaga, and Nyeri.
Prof Ntiba also launched a campaign dubbed Fuga, Kula, Uza Samaki to encourage Kenyans to eat fish and create a local market to sustain aquaculture projects in the 15 targeted counties.
