Kenya Industrial Research and Development Institute (KIRDI), in partnership with the Migori County government and We!Hub Victoria Limited has developed a fish and sardine drying and preservation plant in Muhurubay.
The plant intends to help the fishermen experiencing severe post-harvest losses. The solar cooling and drying equipment serves Muhurubay and its surroundings.
During the machine's debut, Lucas Mosenda, a Migori County Executive Committee member in the Department of Agriculture, Livestock, and Fisheries Management, stated that fishermen lose 15-20 percent of their catch owing to post-harvest losses.
Mosenda stated that the equipment installed by KIRDI will provide a breath of relief to the fishermen who have been trying to preserve and dry their harvest.
A researcher at KIRDI, Linus Kosambo, stated that the machine was successful after being tested at one of their sites in Coastal Kenya.
Kosambo stated that the machine, which can dry and preserve fish, operates purely on solar power and would address fish quality concerns, allowing fishermen to acquire a better market for their product.
KIRDI's chairperson, Eng. Peter Korinko echoed his sentiments, stating that similar initiatives should be implemented in other counties surrounding Lake Victoria.
