Fish farming, eating introduced to schools in Nyeri
Hundreds of primary school pupils in Nyeri County are set to benefit from fish farming in their institutions which is geared at introducing a fish-eating culture and also improving their nutrition.
The program funded by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and the national government will see fish farming inculcated in young minds and thus expand their source of livelihood and also change their notion on fish eating in the process improving their nutrition.
Speaking at Gitunduti Primary School where pupils are undertaking lessons on fish farming, county program coordinator Maureen Gathigia said that the program which is in four schools in Nyeri County and 54 others in other counties within Mount Kenya region will instill fish-eating and farming culture.
"For a long time in the central region, fish farming and also consumption has been hampered by the fact that many people believe fish has a bad odour. By starting this project in schools we want to undo this and ensure pupils can engage in fish farming once out of schools besides consuming this delicacy," Gathigia said. 
Gathigia said that at the moment the county is facing fish marketing challenges but they have sourced funds to establish fish markets and kiosks in Nyeri town.
She said that although the county is famous for the production of tea and coffee, they want to pass on fish farming skills to youths so that apart from their parents' source of livelihood, they can encourage them to do fish farming as a commercial venture.
Culture on fish farming, eating
The school headteacher James Mbatia said that following the introduction of fish farming in the institution, his pupils' perception has changed and are now ready not just to farm fish but also eat.
"In the past, these pupils did not know fish farming they also did not know that fish is a source of protein essential to their bodies but now they are in the know," Mbatia said. 
The headteacher said that apart from the two, the exercises are good since they complement the competence-based curriculum which is the new mode of learning in schools.
