In a bid to address the challenges faced by fish farmers in Migori County, stakeholders are urging local aquaculture farmers to join Savings and Credit Cooperative Societies (Saccos) and similar organizations. This move aims to improve market access, enhance fish preservation techniques, and boost the livelihoods of fish farmers in the region.
Ben Ochieng, the Quality Assurance Manager at Rio Fish Limited, emphasized the crucial role that proper fish preservation plays in preventing market rejection. According to Ochieng, fish often get rejected at marketplaces due to inadequate preservation methods. Rio Fish Limited, a prominent social enterprise located in Rongo Sub County, has been at the forefront of supporting sustainable livelihoods and food security through its work in strengthening aquaculture market systems around Lake Victoria.
Ochieng pointed out that the absence of effective preservation mechanisms results in significant losses for farmers, as buyers often refuse to purchase poorly preserved fish. This situation has been particularly challenging for women fish farmers, who have been most affected by dwindling fish supplies in Lake Victoria. Rio Fish Limited has been instrumental in enhancing the livelihoods of these women and connecting consumers to fish traders.
The Rio Fish Centre operates as an aggregation facility, sourcing fish from farmers across Migori County. The centre, which receives major support from the Aquaculture Business Development Programme (ABDP), serves as a critical hub for fish aggregation and value addition. Ochieng highlighted that joining well-established Saccos could provide fish farmers with numerous benefits, including access to value addition services that could enhance their market prospects.
Value addition has become a key strategy for increasing the market value of fish. The Rio Market, for instance, has been actively involved in processing fish into various value-added products such as “obambo,” a sun-dried fish, and “linyo,” a smoked dried fish. These products are tailored to meet customer preferences and offer extended shelf lives. “Obambo,” which takes about seven days to dry, loses 75 percent of its weight and can be stored for up to six months. This process provides a viable solution for customers lacking cold storage facilities at home.
Under the Rio Market’s initiatives and with support from partners like Migori, Kisii, and Homa Bay counties, as well as organizations such as ABDP, Kenya Climate Innovation Centre, and Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute (KMFRI), the market has been successful in promoting Migori’s fish products. The collaboration has led to the establishment of various partner outlets in key locations including Nairobi and Mombasa.
Looking ahead, Rio Fish Limited is set to expand its reach beyond the Kenyan borders. Plans are underway to introduce Migori’s fish products to East and Central Africa markets, particularly in Congo and Rwanda. This expansion aims to further empower local fish farmers and open new opportunities for their produce.
Ochieng concluded that with the increasing fish production in Migori and the continued support from ABDP and other partners, there is a pressing need to scale up machinery, storage facilities, and market opportunities. The collective efforts are expected to enhance the sustainability of aquaculture in Migori and improve the economic conditions of fish farmers.
In summary, the call for Migori’s fish farmers to join Saccos represents a significant step towards strengthening the aquaculture sector. By leveraging better preservation techniques and value addition, farmers can look forward to improved market access and enhanced livelihoods.
