The government has established a Ksh 14 billion fund to increase fish production through aquaculture among the youth in Eastern, Central and Western regions.
The kitty set up by the national government in collaboration with the International Fund for Agricultural Development provides capital to help in the purchase of fish fingerlings, feeds and construction of ponds besides training.
The fisheries and aquaculture sector contributes about 0.8 per cent to Kenya’s GDP and guarantees income to 2.5 million people.
The 14.9 billion shillings fund backed by the government in collaboration with the International Fund for Agricultural Development, IFAD will begin by training youth groups on the best fish farming practices.
The programme dubbed Aquaculture Business Development will also provide the youths with fish fingerlings and feeds for their fish ponds along with financial capital to engage in the whole aquaculture value chain in a bid to generate additional income.
The programme will target youths in 15 counties that have a high concentration of aquaculture activities and existing fishing infrastructure.
The county governments have been urged to support the programme by allocating complementary funds to aquaculture.