Firm seeks to expand fish production in Lake Victoria

Victory Farms Chief Development Officer Caeser Asiyo supervising fish caught at the firm's headquarters at Rowo village in Suba. [James Omoro, Standard]

The quest by the private sector to rump up fish cage farming has received a boost after a fish production company signed a memorandum of understanding with the management of seven beaches.

Victory Farms, which deals in aquaculture at Rowo village in Suba sub-county, intends to increase fish production in Lake Victoria.

The firm's Chief Development Officer Caeser Asiyo said they plan to increase fish production by 50 per cent, from the current 100,000 tonnes to 150,000 tonnes annually.

"We are putting measures in place to increase our annual scale of fish production. This process will be done gradually through cooperation with our stakeholders," Asiyo said.

The company's community relations coordinator David Otieno revealed that they plan to expand operations on Jiw Dendi, Nyagwethe, Kisegi, Litare, and Uterere beaches.

Otieno said they are also introducing other programmes including aquaponics which is an integrated way of using water for rearing fish in irrigating farmland for horticulture.

"We are also expanding other programmes to enhance economic development in this region," he said.

Suba Beach Management Unit Chairman William Onditi was optimistic that expansion of the firm's operations will create job opportunities for residents.

"We expect that the company will employ residents in the new areas where it will establish the cages," Onditi said.

He urged the company to continue with its corporate social responsibilities in the county including building schools and giving bursaries to students.

As part of plans to expand operations, Victory Farms signed a memorandum of understanding with the county government during the Second Homa Bay County International Investment Conference in February 2024.

The MoU was aimed at establishing a branch of Victory Farms at Riwa Special Economic Zone for processing fish feeds and other activities that support aquaculture.

President William Ruto who presided over the conference gave the Victory Farms founder Joseph Rehmann a license to start operations at the special economic zone.

However, the company is still facing challenges in operating in the special economic zone due to floods in the area following heavy downpour.