The government has revealed plans to commence an insurance policy for fish farmers to protect them from extreme losses in the event of calamities.
Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs Cabinet Secretary (CS) Salim Mvurya said he looks forward to engaging relevant authorities and willing partners to come up with the policy to ensure farmers get compensation whenever they encounter a loss.
“There is a need for targeted financial and insurance instruments to maximize the economic, social and environmental returns from the ocean and its resources,” said Mvurya.
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Mvurya made the commitment after visiting some farmers who recently lost fish worth more than Ksh. 1 billion in Kisumu to a natural phenomenon.
Recognizing the government’s efforts to help the farmers get back on their feet, Mvurya added that a multisectoral team had been formed to establish the cause of the deaths as well as come up with a plan on how to address such occurrences.
The CS also expressed confidence that the government will revitalize fish farming through empowerment and other initiatives, saying that it is one of the ways the country can alleviate poverty among fishing rural communities.
“Harnessing the economic potential of Kenya’s aquatic resources is among the key interventions towards combating rural poverty, enhancing food security and strengthening the national economy,” Mvurya said.
Earlier this month, President William Ruto’s Cabinet approved the construction of a KSh. 1 billion aquaculture project in Kisumu to boost fish farming in the lake region and the country in general.
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