This archive report was first published on 18 July 2020.
On July 18, 2020, the government announced a significant investment in the Aquaculture Business Development Programme (ABDP), committing Sh 15 billion to support the growth of the aquaculture sector in Kenya.
The programme, which will run for eight years, aims to increase fish production through aquaculture from the current 1,700 metric tons to 450,000 metric tons per year by 2030.
Principal Secretary for Fisheries Micheni Ntiba emphasized the importance of aquaculture farming, citing the massive exploitation of lake fish and the need to find alternative sources of fish production.
“Unlike the 2009/2010 Economic Stimulus Programme (ESP), which was 100 per cent funded by the government but failed, the ABDP will see farmers contribute 30 per cent, making them feel more invested in the programme’s success,” Ntiba said.
The programme will focus on introducing aqua-ponic farming in schools and homes, as it is less labour-intensive and cost-effective.
Ntiba also highlighted the need to bridge the gap in fish production in the country, which stands at 170,000 metric tons, resulting in a deficit of 350,000 tons per year and reliance on cheap imports from China.
“With this new approach, it will now be upon the farmers to increase production two fold as a means to cut off the imports and save the sector as their income continues to improve,” he said.
