NAIROBI, Kenya- Farmers in Kirinyaga County have undergone hands-on training in breeding catfish, tilapia, and ornamental fish, part of a larger initiative aimed at boosting fish production and contributing to national food security.
Known for its rice production from the vast Mwea Irrigation Scheme, Kirinyaga is now looking to diversify its agricultural output through innovative aquaculture practices.
The training, held at Ornamental Aquafarm in Kangu, Mwea East, involved practical lessons on everything from extracting eggs to incubating fingerlings.
Stanley Mworia, CEO of the Aquaculture Association of Kenya, emphasized the focus on using new technologies to promote catfish fingerlings and monosex tilapia production.
Farmers were also taught how to formulate their own fish feed, an important step in cutting costs and improving yield.
“We are working with the Technologies for African Agriculture Transformation program to help farmers learn how to maximize fish production,” Mworia explained. “Value addition is also key to ensuring farmers get the best returns after harvest.”
In the face of climate change and dwindling water resources, the trainers highlighted new technologies like aquaponics.
This technique allows farmers to use the same water for both fish farming and crop irrigation, creating a closed-loop system that conserves water while maximizing nutrient use. James Bundi, one of the trainers, stressed the importance of adapting to these changes.
“We’ve developed systems like aquaponics that tackle water scarcity,” said Bundi. “Farmers in Kenya, particularly in Kirinyaga, are already adopting technologies that focus on nutrient maximization from scarce water sources.”
Bundi also pointed out that such training not only impacts current farmers but also encourages young people to take up fish farming as a viable economic activity.
These technologies allow farmers to grow vegetables using recycled water, creating an efficient, multi-purpose farming operation.
Margaret Karimi, one of the farmers who benefited from the training, is already putting what she learned into practice. The fisheries graduate, now a full-time aquaculture professional, described the training as an eye-opener.
“We’ve made mistakes in the past, but the new knowledge we’ve gained will definitely improve our production,” she said.
The training program is part of a collaborative effort involving the Aquaculture Association of Kenya, county governments, and national agencies.
