Fish farmers in Mackinnon, Kwale county, have received 3,600 Nile tilapia fingerlings.
The fingerlings were donated by the county government through the Kenya Marine Fisheries and Socio-Economic Development project.
The project is expected to boost Kwale fish production in the wake of rising demand and decline of fish due to climate change.
Farmers will stock the fingerlings in freshwater fishponds.
Mackinnon is a dryland and residents often depend on water pans, earth dams and boreholes.
The programme is also part of efforts to diversify and improve coastal communities' livelihoods through freshwater tilapia farming and reducing overreliance on marine resources.
Deputy Governor Chirema Kombo said the initiative is part of the county's elaborate plan to empower farmers and improve their revenue streams.
"Our administration is committed to improving the lives of its citizens through empowerment programmes that foster growth, development and entrepreneurial achievement and for farmers to be self-sufficient," he said.
The deputy governor spoke on Wednesday during the distribution of the fingerlings.
Kombo said farmers have been equipped with technical skills to effectively manage the ponds and venture into productive fish farming.
He said they will continue to provide extension services by regularly visiting farmers to ensure their ponds are properly maintained.
Kombo said commercial fishpond farming is appropriate for those with limited crop farming land.
One fishpond can raise a lot of fish as they mature fast and farmers can harvest multiple times per year.
Kombo encouraged farmers to use harvest proceeds to replenish their ponds with more fingerlings to sustain the project.
The county has partnered with investors to broaden the value chain and the market.
Kombo told farmers to use the land surrounding the fishponds for agricultural activities to improve food security, nutrition and agribusiness.
"Make good use of these resources to improve your lives by engaging in other agricultural activities," he said.
