Victory Farms is focused on addressing the shortage and importation of fish in Kenya, the firm’s chief executive officer Joseph Rehmann has said.
He said they are coming up with a number of modalities that will ensure the firm continues to grow more fish to bridge the deficit gap.
Victory Farms which is the largest tilapia growing fish firm in Kenya is currently producing more than 90 million tonnes annually.
The firm projects to increase production by 50 percent per year.
Kenya has a deficit of 400 million tonnes of fish it produces per annum.
Rehmann said they have set growing fish in Lake Victoria as an agenda to ensure they get adequate fish to feed the Kenyan population and beyond.
“The company takes growing of fish as a responsibility to ensure we address the shortage. We don't want importation of fish from foreign countries anymore,” Rehmann said.
Speaking during the founder’s day of the firm at Roo village in Suba South constituency, Homa Bay County, the chief executive officer called for concerted efforts to ensure they achieve their objectives.
Human Resource Director Joan Muturi and Chief Development Officer Caesar Asiyo of the company were present.
The company has already started undertaking tilapia fish stocking in the lake to enable it to increase production.
They are re-introducing orechromis esculentus tilapia species in the lake to improve the population of the fish.
More than 4000 fingerlings of the species had been restocked in the lake.
Rehmann said they are also protecting identified breeding sites for more proliferation of fish.
“We need everybody on board to achieve the agenda. Victory Farms cannot boast of any success without mentioning the community and Kenyan government,” he added.
Last month, President William Ruto visited Victory Farms and handed it a license that gave it the green light to expand fish farming and increase production.
The license also signified the commitment the government has to support investors whose main objectives are to create job opportunities for the youth and increase food production in the country.
Rehmann said Victory Farms has started an exchange program with Rwanda where some employees undertake training on aquaculture in the foreign country and vice versa.
“Capacity building on aquaculture and other activities for improving fish production are necessary. The knowledge and skills acquired will help us address the fish shortage challenge in the country,” he said.
During the anniversary, the company through Muturi promoted at least 50 workers to higher positions as some were given additional responsibilities.
Seven people who previously served as supervisors became managers. Thirteen were promoted to operate as supervisors from being general workers.
Twenty-eight became staff members from being casual workers.
Muturi said the company has continued to recognize efforts put by its employees to improve fish production.
“Victory Farms has an open door policy where suggestions and opinions by employees are put into account for running the company. The promotions have been done on merit,” Muturi said.
Asiyo said the company has the potential to produce adequate fish that can not only feed Kenya's population but Africa's.
“Modalities have been put in place to ensure we achieve the target,” Asiyo said.
Residents led by Prisca Ajwang and William Onditi said the presence of the company has reduced cases of insecurity because it has absorbed youths.
“Our children have been employed and engaged in work. Their economic standards have improved,” Ajwang said.