Kwale Governor Fatuma Achani has urged fish farmers to join cooperative societies to improve their welfare because fisheries have a high potential for economic growth.
The Governor noted that by joining the cooperatives, the farmers will access finance, markets and technology thus boosting their productivity.
She has urged the farmers to form or join cooperatives to benefit from the various government-driven programs aimed at increasing their income.
Further, she noted that her administration is determined to boost fish production in the region through fishermen cooperatives as an effective machinery for the improvement of the economic and social welfare of small-scale fish farmers.
Additionally, the members will benefit from cooperative subsidies and incentives noting that the devolved unit was investing heavily in bolstering the county’s fisheries sector.
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“Joining cooperatives ensures that the fisher folks are included in the formal economic sector and ensure a staple food supply,” she said.
Achani affirmed that the county government is out to ensure Kwale becomes a major fishery player in the coastal region and by working together, fisher folks are able to pool resources and expertise to ensure that they have a sustainable source of income.
She added that by forming cooperatives, the fisher folks are able to access funding from the national and devolved government which could be used to purchase equipment such as boats, fishing gear and other essential fishing tools.
The County boss said her administration continues to support the growth of the fisheries sector by providing subsidized fishing equipment in order to increase the profitability of their livelihood.
Moreover, she said her administration is turning its focus on the blue economy sector by distributing fishing boats with nets and outboard motors, cooler boxes, flares, bond liners, GPS gadgets, life rafts, lifesaving rings and life jacket floats to fishermen in a bid to turn fishing into a profitable venture.
“Kwale is a coastal region. We have the Indian Ocean and it is important that we take advantage of this maritime resource for economic benefits,” said Achani.
On his part, Kenya Fish Marketing Authority and Fish Levy Trust Fund Chief Executive Officers (CEO) Samuel Onyango noted that the sensitization forums are meant to help the BMUs to understand the importance of forming cooperatives that would help them attain higher fishing returns and promote economic growth.
He urged local fishermen to join cooperatives to save and benefit from other services like insurance, loans as well as grants offered by state and non-state actors.
To add to that the CEO said cooperatives will enable the fishermen to get value addition for their products through the establishment of fish processing plants.
Onyango urged the fisher folks to be focused and strive to improve the value chain in the subsector describing fish farming as a lucrative business.
The sensitization activities target fishermen, fish mongers and BMUs from Vanga, Kibuyuni, Mkwiro, Gazi, Mkunguni, Tsunza and Bonje fishing areas.
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