The plant is capable of handing 15 tonnes of fish weekly once it is operationalised.

 

Speaking to the Nation, Meru county director of Fisheries Patrick Mbaabu said the fish factory will be run by a private firm or group of farmers.

 

He said the county government has put up two hatcheries with a capacity of 400,000 fingerlings per year to enhance fish farming.

 

In June, Meru County Investment and Development Corporation (MCIDC) advertised seeking firms to apply for operation, maintenance and commercialisation of the cold chain fish processing factory.

 

Mr Mbaabu said the factory located at Kanyakine, Imenti south is expected to handle fish from Meru and neighboring counties.

 

"We expect to start value addition soon so that we can boost earnings for farmers and encourage more of them," Mr Mbaabu said.

 

According to the investment corporation, there is a large catchment of farmers in Meru County and the neighboring Mount Kenya East Counties with sufficient fish supplies for processing at the plant.

 

He said the county government will purchase a refrigerated truck, 18 cooler boxes and nine deep freezers this Financial Year to facilitate transportation of fish to the factory.

 

"This will also reduce post-harvest losses," he said.

 

The director said the county is targeting increasing the number of fish farmers from 3, 800 currently to 10, 000.

 

The county has held fish eating campaigns to encourage local consumption of fish and open up market for farmers.

Source : allafrica.com