Problems and Prospects in Developing Aquaculture for Livelihood Enhancement in Gucha, Meru and Taita Taveta in Kenya: a Baseline Study.
There is considerable variability in aquaculture production within the study areas of Gucha, Meru and Taita/Taveta regions. Aquaculture activities involve the production of Nile tilapia and African catfish using earthen ponds. Most ponds are individually owned (93.8%). Most of the ponds were constructed and stocked between January 2007 and July 2011, which reflects the change in strategy by the government towards promoting aquaculture. Farmer’s pond sizes are averaging at 300m2 an aspect highly promoted by Economic Stimulus Programme (ESP). Most farmers indicated that they culture Nile tilapia (99%) at a stocking density of 3 fish/m2. The same applies to. African catfish while Gold fish is stocked at 10 fish /m2. The latter is mainly cultured in Meru region where there is high demand for ornamental fish. Fisheries Department was the main source of seed to farmers (40.5%), National Aquaculture Research and Development Training Centre, supplied 30.3%, Dominion farm contributed 13.2% while small-scale hatcheries run by individual farmers supplied 16%. Uga and Sigma feed manufacturers were the main fish feed providers (93.4%), while on farm feeds comprised of 6.6%. The profits ranged from 25 -75% depending on management and seed and feed quality. While the farmers acknowledged the impotence of aquaculture they face several challenges, which included quality feed, seed, technical advice and predation.
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
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| Format: | Report biblioteca |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute
2000
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| Subjects: | Aquaculture development, Livelihoods, Seed (aquaculture), Seed collection, Freshwater aquaculture, Fish culture, Freshwater fish, Pond culture, Hatcheries, |
| Online Access: | http://hdl.handle.net/1834/6791 |
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