VIHIGA, Kenya —Hundreds of fish farmers in Vihiga County have received a significant boost after the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (NORAD) donated 3,600 bags of fish feed to support aquaculture productivity and food security in the region.
The consignment, delivered through the Advancing Resilient Nutrition Sensitive Aquaculture Project (ARNSA) under the Aquaculture Business Development Programme (ABDP), is a joint initiative involving the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and the County Government of Vihiga.
The project seeks to enhance sustainable fish farming, improve household nutrition, and expand income opportunities for local farmers.
Speaking during the official distribution at Mwitoko Aquaculture Centre, Governor Dr. Wilber Khasilwa Ottichillo lauded farmers for their patience, noting that the feed had arrived just as many were approaching harvest.
Each of the 450 selected farmers will receive eight bags of fish feed.
“Fish farming is a promising business venture that can help reduce poverty in our communities. Apart from improving nutrition, the sale of surplus fish can provide meaningful income to our farmers,” Governor Ottichillo said.
He apologised for delays in dispatching the feeds from the national government and praised farmers for sustaining their fingerlings during the waiting period.
Ottichillo also revealed that plans were underway to establish a fish feed factory at the Mwitoko Aquaculture Centre by next year to make feed more affordable and accessible locally.
The governor further announced a proposal for a five-year aquaculture programme aimed at providing continuous training, input supply, and technical support to farmers.
The county, he said, is partnering with the National Agricultural Value Chain Development Project (NAVCDP) to establish an agricultural college focused on smart and sustainable farming practices.
County Executive Committee Member for Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries Julius Maruja said the initiative embraces inclusivity, benefiting women, youth, and persons living with disabilities in line with national policy.
“We already have the first outlets established in Kaimosi, run by youth, and in Chavakali, managed by women’s groups,” Maruja said, adding that the county is setting up fish kiosks to promote local fish consumption and marketing.
He commended farmers for their resilience, noting that many had used personal funds to make or buy feed while awaiting the NORAD-ARNSA supplies.
Wodanga Ward MCA and Leader of Minority Vincent Atsiaya, a member of the County Agricultural Committee, acknowledged farmers’ frustrations over the six-month delay but praised their persistence.
“Farmers were right to raise concerns over the delay, which was initially expected to be two months. Their persistence ensured the issue was resolved, and today we are seeing the results,” Atsiaya said.
County Project Coordinator Wilson Munala confirmed that all 450 farmers would receive the feed and that two aggregation and value addition kiosks were being established in Kaimosi and Chavakali to enhance market access and improve the local aquaculture value chain.
The project marks a major step toward strengthening Vihiga’s growing aquaculture sector and aligns with Kenya’s broader Blue Economy strategy, which promotes sustainable use of aquatic resources for economic growth and food security.
