The dhow is a traditional sailing vessel originating from the Arab region, East Africa, and the Indian subcontinent.
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The Aquaculture Consortium (TAC) in Kenya, in collaboration with the Norwegian Agency for Exchange Cooperation, has launched several initiatives aimed at encouraging students and out-of-school girls to benefit from the country's aquaculture sector and reduce the country's annual fish deficit, estimated at 450,000 metric tons.
According to the official news agency of the Government of Kenya, the Kenya News Agency (KNA), TAC CEO Felix Osok presented the 'Young-fish' and 'Girls in Aquaculture' programs, along with other initiatives focused on digitalization and financing in the sector, including the use of artificial intelligence and improved access to funding.
"Our goal is to transform Kenya from a fish-deficit country into a fisheries powerhouse on the continent. We want to learn from Norway's experience, which has made its fisheries sector the second-largest contributor to its GDP and a global leader in aquaculture," Osok said, as reported by the agency.
For her part, Principal Secretary for the Blue Economy Betsy Njagi expressed gratitude to the government of Norway for sending young women from its aquaculture sector to Kenya to mentor Kenyan women, facilitating their access to institutions and companies in the European country.
Additionally, the government has stated that, to close the fish deficit gap, it will implement the Revised Fisheries Policy 2025, promote insurance products to reduce risks in the sector, and invest more than 30 billion shillings (approximately 200 million euros).
Finally, the Kenya News Agency (KNA) reported the words of Pete Ondeng, Secretary of the Lake Victoria Aquaculture Association, who highlighted the importance of collaboration among sector players to share knowledge and strengthen aquaculture in the country.