Greece Ambassador to Kenya Vicky Pantazopoulou has urged fish farmers in Kisii County to practice cyclical farming to minimize emission of harmful greenhouse gasses and improve food security.
Speaking at the Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute at Kegati Location in Nyaribari Chache Constituency in Kisii County, Pantazopoulou who was on a mission to find out activities suitable for grants from her country said farming by integrating fish with chicken, coffee and bananas in an interdependency manner was a good practice.
In this model of farming, chicken cages are built above the fish ponds so that the fish is fed on their droppings, while the polluted water from the ponds is released into the garden to nourish crops.
Pantazopoulou said she was on her fourth visit to the region to find a strategic plan to help Gusii region service Europe with quality products.
“You are on the path to adding value to your produce in order to get the best market in Greece and all of Europe,” she said.
Pantazopoulou noted that she had also discussed with farmers in Nakuru County to partner with government institutions to do soil analyses geared towards improving crop production in the area.
The envoy had also visited Turkana to find out workable solutions in the dry terrain, Bomet, Nandi and Uasin Gishu counties
She noted the need for recycling waste and production of organic manure saying it was best for crop production.
Assistant Director Fresh Water Aquaculture Dr Paul Orina said cyclic economy was opening a new frontier for technology and innovation in the aquaculture sector
This he said would improve production owing to best practices, and boost trade with Greece among other European countries.
Dr. Orina said cyclic fish farming adds nitrogen and phosphorus to the soil which is good for bananas and coffee due the sludge from ponds.
The Kegati Research Centre is currently carrying out research on seven species including Nile Tilapia, African catfish, Tilapia Singida (Ngege in dholuo), African Carp (Ningu), and ornamentals like Gold fish, Coycarp and Swordtail.
Source: Kenya News Agency