The County Government of Siaya, led by Governor James Orengo, met with INNOECOFOOD and the Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute (KMFRI) to discuss sustainable food production in the county. During the meeting, Dr. Cyprian Odoli from KMFRI and Mr. Stephen Jaoko of Food Security for Poverty Alleviation (FOSAPA) Kenya presented a briefing on the project titled "Eco-Innovative Technologies for Improved Nutrition, Sustainable Production, and Marketing of Agroecological Food Products in Africa," abbreviated as INNOECOFOOD.
The INNOECOFOOD project is being implemented over a three-year period, starting in 2024 and running until December 2026. Dr. Odoli highlighted that the project is valued at over Ksh. 150 million, with approximately Ksh. 100 million allocated for establishing the ECOHUB and enhancing local aquaculture farms using artificial intelligence (AI) and the Internet of Things (IoT) in Othala Village, Got Osimbo, Ugunja Sub-County.
The production efforts in these areas aim to support EU and AU initiatives by producing and processing nutritious aquaculture products, including catfish, tilapia, blue-green cyanobacteria (spirulina), and insect-based value chains. These products will be processed into marketable human food products and feeds. This "farm-to-fork" approach will leverage climate-smart, sustainable local resources, innovative chilling and drying processes, renewable energy, reduced water consumption, and circular systems within the ECOHUB. The initiative is being executed by an experienced multi-actor consortium comprising five Kenyan partners, European partners, and others from Africa.
The project's specific objectives include creating a database and training 30 youth and 30 women locally within the ECOHUB and community groups. The initiative will validate the nutritional and sensory quality, microbiological and chemical safety, consumer acceptance, and life cycle analysis impact of the products. It will also implement certification schemes for fish, spirulina, and insect processing and products for consumption, marketing, and trade. Additionally, the project will establish a sustainable and innovative agribusiness rural ECOHUB powered by renewable energy sources, including solar and wind energy, for fish and spirulina production at Othala Village, Got Osimbo, Ugunja Sub-County.
Governor Orengo, emphasizing the importance of partnerships to ensure food sustainability in the county, welcomed the initiative. He noted that it would create employment opportunities for the youth, enhance income levels, and improve nutritional security for the local community. The Governor also observed that the project would develop skills for greater participation in production, thereby increasing incomes from value chain activities and providing other associated benefits.
Other partners in the project include Dr. Gareth Kituu from Jomo Kenyatta University of Science and Technology (JKUAT), Mr. Kalvince Otieno Tuju, Founder and Managing Director of FSPN Africa, Chris Tanga of ICIPE, all acting as principal investigators, and Munira Gilani of PECHE FOODS.
During the meeting, the Governor was accompanied by the County Secretary, Mr. Joseph Ogutu; CECM for Lands, Physical Planning, Housing, and Urban Planning, Mr. Maurice Mc’Orege; and CECM for Agriculture, Irrigation, Food, Livestock, and Fisheries, Mr. Sylvestre K’Okoth, among other county officials.