small aquaculture operations in kenya and adoption of aquaculture

Sammy K. Macaria* and Kwamena Quagrainie Ministry of Fisheries Development Directorate of Aquaculture Development Kenya

Introduction The government of Kenya has recognized aquaculture

as a sub-sector with great potential to contribute towards the national economy.

Introduction… During the last four years, the Kenyan government has

enhanced support to the aquaculture sector Between 2009 and 2012 the Government allocated

about Ksh 5.5 billion ($61.2m) This was through the Fish Farming Enterprise and

Productivity Program (FFE&PP). In phase 1 lasting for 2 years (2009-2010), the program

aimed at establishment of small scale fish production infrastructure More than 48,000 ponds (@300 m2) developed More developed without the program support

Introduction… In phase 2 (2011-2012), the program aimed at;

Increasing production efficiency through farmers training and extension services.

Developing marketing infrastructure and strategies

Why the BMPs? With the increased aquaculture activities, it has

become necessary for the industry to start addressing management and environmental practices to minimize and mitigate any environmental impacts.

BMPs also improve on the production efficiency and profitability.

The BMPs Project in Kenya USAID-CRSP has been working in Kenya even before

the GOK-FFE&PP intervention. AquaFish Collaborative Research Support Program

(AquaFish-CRSP) started a pilot project in three regions; Western, Rift Valley and Central in Kenya for a period of 18 months starting from September 2011.

Study Area

Project Aim Its aim was to promote adoption of selected

aquaculture BMPs in tilapia production. Use of formulated floating pelleted feed; Reuse of pond water

Project Activities/Methodology Promote adoption of the BMPs through; i. simultaneous deployment of a series of workshops at

the regional level’ ii. extension follow-ups, iii. demonstrations of the BMPs on selected farms, iv. and promoting lateral diffusion through farmer-to-

farmer extension activities.

Farmers Workshops

On farm demonstrations

Stocking size 10±3g Fish were stocked at 3

fish/m2 Pond size 100-300 m2 Production period- 8

months

Farmer-to-farmer extension activities

Results: Circle 1-Central Region

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0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22

Wei

ght (

g)

Time (Weeks) CENTRAL REGION

NW-PF RW-PF

NW-OF RW-OF

Rift Valley Region

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0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22

WEI

GHT

(g)

TIME (Weeks) RIFT VALLEY REGION

FW/CF RW/CF

FW/EF RW/EF

Western Region

0

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1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Wei

ght (

g)

Times (Weeks) WESTERN REGION

Pond G1-NL

Pond G2-OL

Pond G4-NC

Pond G5-OC

Challenges High cost of the pelleted floating feeds Reluctance in sharing of information among some

farmers (Western Region) Deviation/retained earnings from harvest proceeds of

circle 1.

Conclusion Farmers are quick at adopting the commercial feed in

all the three regions; This could be because of notable faster growth of fish

fed in commercial floating pellets than those fed on most of the local feeds.

Farmers have adopted use of reused water as observed in the follow ups during circle 2. Most farmers understand reason for use of reused water

as retaining nutrients and preventing environmental pollution.