Farmed fish from Kenya, including tilapia, will now be eligible for export to the European Union following a new trade agreement between the Kenyan government and the EU, a major breakthrough announced by Siaya’s deputy director of fisheries, David Mboya.
Speaking at a fish farmers’ forum in Simenya, Ugunja subcounty, Mboya revealed that the agreement opens doors for small-scale aquaculture producers, particularly those raising fish in ponds, to benefit from international trade opportunities that were previously limited to wild-caught Nile perch from Lake Victoria.
“Our fishpond tilapia has been cleared for European markets. This is a major opportunity for local farmers to scale up and benefit,” Mboya said at the event, which was organized by Youth in Sustainable Agriculture (YISA).
He urged young people in Siaya and beyond to take advantage of the new market by embracing fish farming and ensuring high-quality production that meets international standards. He also credited the State Department of Fisheries, Kenya Fisheries Service, and development partners for their role in securing the export deal.
YISA coordinator Lucas Abila and Farm Africa’s deputy programme manager, Evans Okach, also encouraged youth to explore aquaculture as a viable source of income and employment. Abila noted that YISA aims to create 150,000 jobs across six counties, with young women making up 85% of those expected to engage in the aquaculture value chain as traders and aggregation centre operators.
Samuel Odhiambo Mudhune, the forum’s host and a young farmer, challenged fellow youth to rethink agriculture. “Food production is not just essential—it’s rewarding. I’m living proof that farming can be fulfilling,” he said.
The forum highlighted the role of agribusiness in empowering youth, enhancing food security, and tapping into global markets.