FISH FARMING.

FISH FARMING. JANE MUGAMBI 12TH NOV 2012. The government has constructed four fish cold storage plants at a cost of 240 million shillings to assist farmers look for market after harvesting. The remarks were made by fisheries secretary professor Charles Ngugi at the national aquaculture and research development center at Sagana in Kirinyaga County. The four storage facilities have been constructed in Rongo, Imenti, Tetu and Lurambi to help store fish citing that fish is a perishable commodity. Ngugi noted that fish farmers produce over twenty thousand metric tonnes of fish annually posing marketing the biggest challenge. Ngugi noted that the facilities will assist farmers to store their fish after harvesting before they look for suitable markets for their produce. “The four cold stores that have been constructed in different places in the country are for storing fish before a suitable market has been found for the fish” said Professor Ngugi. Addressing stakeholders in the fisheries department during a program to integrate fish farming with environmental conservation Ngugi called on fish farmers to plant trees to ensure the environment is safeguarded. Ngugi added that over 50 thousand fish ponds have been constructed countrywide since 2009. Ngugi noted that the Sagana aquaculture center is the main fingerlings production center to ensure a constant supply of fingerlings to farmers. HE said that the ministry of finance has rated the fisheries ministries as 98% compliant where the ministry received 7 billion shillings for the three financial year citing that they have used all their money in implementing the economic stimulus programme with farmers and the community. Ngugi said that the fish production has increased from 4,000 metric tomes to 20,000 tonnes in the past 4 to 5 years which has been made possible by the campaign that has been for fish eating in the country. HE said that there are planes to start constructing fish ponds in primary and secondary schools as a way to educate Kenyans on staying healthy by eating fish. ends,..... 0723321326