Currently, the amount of fish produced in the Lake Victoria is reducing day by day, yet we are doing little to salvage the situation.
The water hyacinth and other pollutants such as car washing along the lake are reducing the catch at an alarming rate; something that has made fish in Kisumu to become more expensive than areas that are miles away from the second largest fresh-water body in Africa.
We can reduce over-reliance on the lake by practicing good fish farming methods that can help supplement the commodity in the market as well as create employment for the many unemployed youth in the region.
Commercial fish farming is not a vocabulary in the region and number of people have been trying the venture. The challenge is that most locals have not been taking the activity seriously.
Kisumu is endowed with aquatic resources with great aquaculture potential. Commercial fish farms can become a great income source for the people of Kisumu if we can learn from our brothers in Central Kenya.
Large scale fish production will definitely help our economy to blossom and also cater for our nutritional needs. We can also farm fish for our family’s consumption.
The numerous species of fish available are highly profitable for fish farming in Kisumu County. We have tilapia, African catfish, trout, olanda and common carp that have a high demand in the market.
High demands and prices of fish in the market should be a motivating factor. With the ever-increasing population, the unemployed educated people can also start fish farming. This will create employment opportunities.
Time is changing and so is the fish in the water, we can work in groups to establish fish farms. Let us engage the experts in the fish industry. I am sure they have good ideas and are willing to help, but people who should benefit have distanced themselves.
We can earn millions in fish farming and in the process improve our nutrition if we take charge and practice this profitable business.