The Ministry of Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs has announced the issuance of grants to specific Kenyans across the Country through the Aquaculture Business Development Programme (ABDP).
In a May 7 notice seen by The Kenya Times, ABDP said it will issue a number of competitive grants to various beneficiaries across the Country to broaden and deepen the aquaculture value chain.
ABDP is a joint Programme between the Government of Kenya and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD).
The Programme is national in scope but targets counties with high aquaculture potential including concentrations of aquaculture activity, high production, existing infrastructure (processing, marketing, and research), adequate water resources, and marketing potential.
Its goal is to reduce poverty and increase food security and nutrition in rural communities and increase the incomes of rural poor households.
Beneficiaries of the Grants
The Programme’s matching grants and business plan competition grants window is targeting Aquaculture Field Schools (AFS); Smallholder Aquaculture Groups (SAGs); and Youths and Women groups operating as Aquaculture Support Enterprises (ASEs).
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Total grants to be awarded for the FY 2023/2024 include 390 grants for the AFS, 30 for to SAGs and 145 grants to the ASESs.
However, the beneficiaries will be drawn from the 15 counties namely, Nyeri, Kirinyaga, Kiambu, Embu, Meru, Tharaka Nithi, Machakos, Kajiado, Migori, Kisumu, Homa Bay, Siaya, Kisii, Kakamega and Busia.
The grants are a strategic component of the Programme’s Public-Private-Producer-Partnerships (PPPPs) approach that aim to promote viable business activities in aquaculture.
They will also support the development of smallholder fish producers, as well as small-scale supporting service providers and their rural communities.
Furthermore, they will enhance the efficiency, profitability, and sustainability of ongoing and new aquaculture activities in different Counties.
Additionally, the grants will prioritize climate resilience and environmentally sustainable forms of production, aligning with the Programme’s focus on climate-smart aquaculture.
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Ultimately, they will also contribute to the Programme’s overarching goal of reducing poverty, increasing food security, and improving the nutritional status of rural communities.
How to Apply
To qualify for the grants, all interested applicants are required to download the grant application forms from www.abdpcu.org/downloads and fill in triplicate form.
All duly completed forms together with the necessary required attachments are to be submitted to the relevant County ABDP Office on or before 22nd May 2024 at 11.00AM.
For further information or inquiries, applicants are requested to contact [email protected].
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