Local news – 11.10.13 - By Mary Tioko - Oxfam starts project to boost trade in fish and campaign for increased eating of fish by Turkana people.

The international NGO Oxfam yesterday Launched a three- year project to develop the capacities of fish and livestock traders to improve the value of their products and at the same time boost small scale trade in Turkana.

The project is aimed at building the resilience of communities in Turkana West and North to withstand drought and other emergencies that are commonly associated with Turkana County according to its climate. Speaking during the launch at St. Teresa pastoral center on 10^th October 2013 , Oxfam county Director Mr. Tricks  said that 5000 individuals from selected families will benefit from fish purchased by the NGO to improve their nutrition as an alternative source of protein. Theee beneficiaries who come from places like Kaikor, Kaaleng and Lokichoggio will be getting the dried fish on Monthly basis through a voucher system. Another 500 fishermen, 500 livestock producers and 500 traders will benefit by getting training on business skills, how to acquire finances  from  institutions like Equity and they will also be given equipment for fishing and preservation of fish in an  hygienic manner.

Livestock marketing associations and fish traders organizations will be developed and strengthened to enable them access markets and increase income. Mr. Tricks said that OXFAM will jointly organize a Turkana investment conference with the county government  to bring together potential investors to meet local traders. Turkana Deputy Governor Peter Ekai thanked OXFAM for the project saying Turkana has always been a non-cash economy and commended OXFAM for introducing the business concept. Hon. Ekai said that the county governor will tap on some rare species of fish available in the lake for developing tourism. He said there is a good market for fish in southern Sudan which should be exploited to earn the county more revenue.