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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Stuttgart, Arkansas » Harry K. Dupree Stuttgart National Aquaculture Research Cntr » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #305200
Title: Assessment and recommendations for two sites with active and potential aquaculture production in Rift Valley and Coast Provinces, Kenya

Author
item CAPORELLI, ANGELA - Kentucky Department Of Agriculture
item Riche, Martin

Submitted to: Book of Abstracts Aquaculture America
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/3/2014
Publication Date: 2/10/2014
Citation: Caporelli, A., Riche, M.A. 2014. Assessment and recommendations for two sites with active and potential aquaculture production in Rift Valley and Coast Provinces, Kenya [abstract]. Book of Abstracts Aquaculture America 2014: Taking Aquaculture to New Heights through Technology, Marketing, Collaboration, February 9-12, 2014, Seattle, Washington. p.532.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Kenya has a long history of local fish consumption. The population in the Lake Victoria area (Rift Valley Province) Northwest of Nairobi and coastal communities (Coast Province) have historically included fish in their diet. Migration from villages to urban areas and increasing commerce has created an increase in seafood demand, poised to expand even further. There is also growing recognition of the need for greater consumption of high quality protein such as fish also an important dietary source of essential fatty acids and minerals. Available coastal fish consist primarily of small dried fish sold in open-air markets and small restaurants. Ocean fish caught are generally not sold locally, but exported. Kenya's near-shore fishery is estimated at 7,400 tons/year, but deep sea offshore fishing is conducted principally by foreign ships. An impediment to domestic consumption of fresh ocean fish in the inland regions is cost of transport, and perishability. The Kenyan Government and other NGOs have long supported and encouraged aquaculture to increase inland fish production for personal consumption and profit and recognizes that aquaculture can help in food security, social well-being and to alleviate poverty. Primary observations were that technical aspects of site selection, good management practices, feed development and composition, pond management, water quality requirements, and species selection were insufficient to support the Kenyan Government's goals. Primary recommendations are that there is a tremendous need for development and implementation of an in-depth, hands-on training program for farmers, and more importantly for extension personnel. This training should consist of modules that include: site selection, pond construction, water quality and management and compost building, stocking, sexing, hatchery development and management, feed stuffs and supplemental feeds and feeding rate, pond management, harvesting, record keeping, marketing and sales, pond repair and restocking. Due to the level of training and resource availability, it is recommended that extensive culture using tilapia and catfish be stressed. For subsistence farmers the use of local fertilizers such as manure, local plant matter and kitchen waste to fertilize the ponds for plankton production should be stressed.