IFAD commended for supporting fish farming

Nairobi, 3rd October 2024 – The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) has been commended for supporting fish farming in the country.

Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs Cabinet Secretary Hassan Ali Joho has expressed satisfaction that IFAD is playing a major role in supporting the fisheries sector in the country through the Kshs 14 billion Aquaculture Business Development Programme (ABDP).

“I am pleased to note that IFAD is playing a major role in supporting the fisheries sector in the country through the Aquaculture Business Development Programme (ABDP), a Kshs. 14bn initiative being implemented in 15 counties in the Central, Eastern and Western regions of Kenya,” CS Joho said. 

The Cabinet Secretary spoke at his office during a meeting with IFAD Country Director Dr. Mariatu Kamara who briefed me on IFAD’s project portfolio in the country. 

The ABDP targets small scale fish farmers, supporting them to upgrade their subsistence farming activities to semi-commercial enterprises. It has also invested in infrastructure to support fish handling to address post-harvest losses in the Lake Victoria region. 

“I believe this is one of the ways of ensuring our fish farmers reap maximum benefits from their labour and improve their lives in line with the Government’s plan, the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation agenda (BETA),” the Cabinet Secretary said.

In attendance were Fisheries and Blue Economy PS Ms. Betsy Njagi who was accompanied by Mr. Rodrick Kundu, the Secretary for Fisheries and Blue Economy.