Arise Media 
Walking onto the farm in Kathangari village of Manyatta Constituency, Embu County, two vast fish ponds catch one’s attention.
On the surface, one easily notices water dispelling—a clear indication of breathing organisms under the liquid.
Away from the corporate meetings and boardrooms, Mr. John Mugo Mate, esteemed chairman of the Kenya National Chambers of Commerce and Industries (KNCCI) Embu Chapter, has embarked on fish farming, a remarkable transformation in the area widely known for subsistence farming.
“It’s not just about profits; it’s about creating a positive impact on the environment and contributing to food security,” Mate says.
The transformation began last year after Mate visited different fish farms within and outside the County to gain skills in fish rearing.
When Arise Media visited the farm, we found Mate and his two farmhands harvesting the fish for three hotels within Embu town.
“We have orders from three hotels and others from local consumers and we must deliver them today,” says Mate who keeps Tilapia variety.
Drawing on his business acumen and determination, he assembled a team of experts to ensure the venture aligned with the highest standards of sustainability and ethical farming practices.
He spent some Sh100,000 making two ponds measuring 18 meters by 7 meters to venture into fish farming in April last year (2023).
Mate reveals that he stocked some 2, 600 fingerlings in the two ponds at a cost of Sh26,000.
“Since fish meat is continuously gaining traction, we have partnered with many other farmers who have started fish farming in the area. Through this partnership, we can deliver any quantity of fish required at any time,” he explains.
Mate says on average, the fish that he is currently harvesting weighs 400 grams each with a kilo going for Sh700. Recently, he sold some 50 kilos pocketing Sh35,000.
Mate and other farmers in the area engage fish farming experts to ensure they produce quality fish required in the market.
Beyond business success, the Chambers Chairman envisions his fish farm as an educational hub, offering workshops and tours to local schools and communities.
The goal is to raise awareness about the importance of sustainable aquaculture and to foster a greater understanding of the delicate balance between human needs and environmental preservation.
Although he lost about 300 fish in unclear circumstances a few months after starting the project, Mate who is also a contractor says he can’t regret venturing into aquaculture.
“We woke up one morning and found about 300 fish dead. We can’t judge who subjected us to this loss but we strengthened our security,” notes the farmer who says he can’t regret venturing into aquaculture.
He adds, “Before venturing into the fish project, I used to grow maize, beans, cabbages, and other horticultural crops on the entire farm.”
According to Mate, fish feeds are a challenge for farmers as they are too expensive. However, he thinks of introducing Azolla farming to supplement the fish feeds.
Azolla is a free-floating aquatic fern that is native to tropical and subtropical regions. It is a fast-growing plant that can be used as a livestock feed, bio-fertilizer, and mosquito control agent.
Azolla farming is a low-cost and sustainable way to produce these valuable products.
For aspiring fish farmers, Mate says starting requires a small space, and the fish are only fed three times a day. “So why not take up today?” he adds
The Chambers Chairman’s fish farming venture stands as a testament to the transformative power of vision, dedication, and a conscientious approach to business.
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