This archive report was first published on 31 August 2019.
Climate change has had a significant impact on the aquaculture industry in Kenya, with scarce rains, erratic temperatures, and a rise in diseases affecting fish production.
Dr. Domitila Muendo, a research assistant at the Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute in Sagana, notes that the main component in fish farming is water. During prolonged dry seasons, rivers dry up, and water reduces in fish ponds, causing fish to be stressed.
Erratic rains also cause ponds to flood and sweep away fish, while the lack of water change in ponds leads to infections. Furthermore, recent reports have indicated that rivers and lakes are grossly polluted with effluent from households and industries, posing a risk to fish consumers.
However, the European Union, in collaboration with the government, has offered €6.5 million (Sh747.5 million) for the development of climate-smart technologies and addressing constraints that hinder farmers from optimum production. Of this amount, Sh8.05 million will be channeled to aquaculture.
Dr. Muendo explains that farmers can expect new fish breeds that are fast-maturing, including the upgrade of tilapia to an F8 breed. Additionally, indigenous fish breeds like Tilapia Jipe, Tilapia Baringoesis, and Labeo Victorianas, which are facing extinction, will be multiplied and introduced to commercial farming.
The project also aims to improve fish feeds by replacing omena with black soldier fly as a source of protein. This will reduce competition for omena with human beings and make fish feeds cheaper and more accessible to farmers.
Kenya has been relying on imported fish, especially from China, due to the high cost of feeds and the scarcity of fish feed. However, the EU project is expected to change the tide by promoting aquaculture as a viable agribusiness and increasing production.
Dr. Muendo notes that the youth can earn good money from aquaculture, which can be a lucrative business. To make aquaculture more appealing to the youth, Dr. Muendo suggests that they work in groups to lower start-up capital contributions, boost production, and later bargain for good market prices.
