Fisherfolk operating along the shores of Lake Victoria are set to benefit from a new activity initiative worth about Kenya Shillings 60 million aimed at enhancing the postharvest drying, valorizing value-added products, and improving the supply chain of Silver Cyprinid fish, locally known as Omena.
The research activity, dubbed Scaling Postharvest Technologies for Kenyan Inland Fisheries, is led by Prof. Nelson Ojijo Olang’o of
the Department of Food Science and Technology at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT). It is funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), through the Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Fish at the Mississippi State University, USA.
The work seeks to improve the economic empowerment and food security of riparian communities in Kenya’s Lake Victoria basin by scaling out climate-smart, value-added postharvest technologies for Omena. This small pelagic fish is the predominant biomass of landed fish from Lake Victoria and a vital source of livelihood for the riparian communities. The activity will install improved hybrid solar-biomass dryers to facilitate prompt drying of landed Omena irrespective of the prevailing weather. About 15 beaches are targeted for installation of solar dryers in Migori, Homa Bay, Kisumu, Siaya, and Busia Counties.
Prof. Ojijo previously implemented a similar initiative in Kisumu and Busia Counties between 2021 and 2024 on a pilot scale. This pilot phase was funded by the European Union (EU) through the Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA). The sequel initiative addresses a critical need and marks a continued effort to empower fishing communities through innovative and sustainable technologies.
The targeted fisherfolk will also learn value-addition and processing techniques to reduce postharvest losses, improve product quality, and therefore expand the market opportunities. These training sessions will also ensure proper use and maintenance of the drying structures.
The multidisciplinary collaboration includes Dr. William Achia (Georgia Southern University, USA), Dr. Peter Oduor Odote and Dr. Cyprian Ogombe Odoli (Kenya Marine & Fisheries Research Institute (KMFRI), and Dr. Geoffrey Ochieng’ Otieno and Dr. Eng. Florence Gatwiri Kiburi (JKUAT).
The three-year activity, to be implemented from January 2025 to December 2027, will also support the establishment of small to medium-scale businesses focused on producing and marketing value-added silver cyprinid products through multi-stakeholder partnerships.
The research aligns with the Fish Innovation Lab’s goals and the Global Food Security Research Strategy, focusing on climate-smart agricultural innovation and nutrition. It addresses key priorities in Kenya’s national plans, including value addition, safe processing of aquatic foods, and economic empowerment of marginalized communities.