Siaya launches fish farming model to empower youth, women at Utonga Beach 

KENYA – In a strategic collaboration between the Siaya County Department of Agriculture, Food Security, Livestock & Blue Economy, Aquarech Ltd, and Equity Bank Kenya, the lease-to-own fish cage farming model was unveiled at Utonga Beach in West Sakwa Ward. 

The initiative aims to make commercial aquaculture accessible and lucrative for local communities that have traditionally been sidelined from the blue economy.

“After months of collaboration and community engagement, we’re thrilled to announce the official launch of our lease-to-own cage farming initiative at Utonga Beach! The first cage is already stocked with fingerlings, marking the start of a farmer-led revolution in aquaculture,” Aquarech posted on LinkedIn.

The model allows Beach Management Units (BMUs), youth, and women groups to lease commercial-grade fish cages capable of holding 65,000 fingerlings. 

With minimal upfront cost and the ability to pay over time, the system removes one of the most significant barriers to entry in aquaculture: capital.

Each group is projected to earn up to KES 7.5 million (approximately US$58,000) annually from a single cage producing 25 metric tonnes of fish every eight-month cycle. 

Equity Bank is financing fish feed for a complete production cycle, providing stability during the crucial grow-out phase. 

Aquarech is also offering technical support, training, and access to high-quality feeds to maximise farmer success.

“This model gives us hope. Now, we’re not just labourers, we’re business owners,” said the Chairlady of Utonga BMU.

The partnership doesn’t end at Utonga. Over the next 12 months, Aquarech will distribute 50 additional high-capacity cages across BMUs in Siaya County, scaling the program’s impact and aligning with the county’s ambitions to modernise and commercialise its aquaculture sector.

Infrastructure + Finance = Sustainability

The model is rooted in a broader philosophy that transforming African aquaculture requires more than fingerlings and good intentions. 

“To drive real, systemic change in Africa’s aquaculture sector, we must reimagine production systems at their core,” said Aquarech. “This demands structural shifts, reliable infrastructure and accessible finance, to move smallholder farmers from subsistence to profitability.”

By deploying contract farming and leased cage systems, supported by bridge capital, the model helps fish farmers scale production even in the face of liquidity gaps. 

Aquarech emphasises that farmers can double or triple their incomes with improved yields, lower input costs, and better market access.

AquaFedha launches to finance the future of fish farming

Earlier this year, Aquarech also launched AquaFedha, Africa’s first credit product explicitly tailored for fish farmers. 

Developed in partnership with Equity Bank and TechnoServe, the product addresses the US$5 billion financing gap that has long hindered small- and medium-scale aquaculture across the continent.

Many fish farmers lack collateral or formal financial records, preventing them from securing bank loans. AquaFedha changes that by evaluating creditworthiness based on production potential, rather than traditional banking criteria.

With AquaFedha financing, farmers can now purchase high-density polyethene (HDPE) cages, quality fingerlings, and bulk fish feed, thereby reducing per-unit costs and improving efficiency. 

Technology-enabled farm management, facilitated through Aquarech’s mobile app, enables farmers to track production, make data-driven decisions, and consistently supply fish to local markets.

Beyond the business opportunity, the model is delivering social and nutritional benefits. “This isn’t just about fish; it’s about sustainable livelihoods,” Aquarech emphasised.

The initiative is already generating local jobs, boosting household incomes, and contributing to food security by increasing the supply of affordable, protein-rich tilapia. It also helps reduce pressure on wild fish stocks and cuts dependence on fish imports.

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