Chimbu fisheries team visit Gumine farmers

A TEAM from the Chimbu fisheries division is in Gumine to inspect fish farms in the area.
The Simbu Inland Fish Farmers Cooperative Association (SIFFCA) –comprising provincial fisheries officer Chris Mondo, Gumine DPI officer Korondo Kamane and Tropical Hardware Supplies managing director Lucas Kee – travelled from Kundiawa to Gumine.
SIFFCA recently received K490,000 from the National Fisheries Authority (NFA).
The money was deposited at Tropical Hardware and farmers were allowed to collect fish feed, PVC pipes, spades and other items needed to extend their fish farms.
This was the second time NFA had assisted the fish farmers.
Previously, the association donated K150,000.
Mondo said the arrangement between NFA, SIFFCA and his division worked well and fish farmers from Chimbu had been around for the past 15 years.
Kee said NFA’s association with the private sector to deliver on their programmes for fish farmers was the way to go.
Besides providing the materials, Tropical Hardware also helps to fund site visits to project sites.
At the recent trip to Gumine, Kee warned farmers not to sell the materials to make a fast buck.
“You are fortunate to have benefited from this assistance while many more farmers like yourselves are waiting in the line, so don’t muck around,” he said.