The government has constructed four fish cold storage plants at a cost of Sh240 million in various parts of the country.

Fisheries secretary Charles Ngugi disclosed this at the National Aquaculture and Research Development Centre at Sagana in Kirinyaga.The four are in Rongo, Imenti, Tetu and Lurambi.

Ngugi said fish is perishable and the plants will help farmers store them as they search for market. Ngugi said farmers produce more than 20,000 tonnes. He said market is he biggest challenge facing them.

He said the facilities will assist farmers to store their fish after harvesting as they look for markets. "The four cold stores that have been constructed in different places in the country are for storing fish before a suitable market has been

found for the fish" said Professor Ngugi.

Addressing stakeholders in the fisheries department during a program to integrate fish farming with environmental conservation Ngugi called on fish farmers to plant trees to ensure the environment is safeguarded. Ngugi added that over 50 thousand fish ponds have been constructed countrywide since 2009 to boost farming.