The Fish Project : Upscaling Agricultural Technologies to Enhance Reared Fish Productivity

Fishing has been a source of livelihood since fish is part of an important diet among the people of Kilifi County. The decline in catches due tide changes in the Indian Ocean as a result of climate change has led to many fishermen losing their source of livelihood and also led to increase in the price of capture fish hence not affordable to many low income people of Kilifi. Fish and its products is a source of employment and a profitable venture since the demand for fish and fish protein is on the increase. This is with the realization of the benefits and the role it plays in food security, employment generation and income creation. To meet the demand there is need to enhance fish production through dissemination and adoption of improved fish rearing technologies. {Currently, per ca-pita fish consumption is about 3Kgs/person/per year – while the global standard is at 16Kgs/person/year}. The full potential of Aquaculture and Mariculture in Kilifi county has not been realized due lack of information to guide its development. The county relies heavily on natural water bodies for its supply of fish production whose resources are subjected to over-exploitation and global climatic change.

The “Upscaling agricultural technologies to enhance reared fish productivity and improve incomes for smallholder farmers in Kilifi” will run for 2 years and aims at improving fish productivity and incomes for fish farmers in Kilifi, through the adoption and dissemination of improved fish rearing technologies. This would, in the process, boost fish availability and reduce its  price. 

The project is aimed at reducing fishing pressure within the areas of Mtwapa, Kilifi, Ngomeni, Mto Kilifi and Mida – and to provide alternative source of income for the fishing community in the areas of implementation. These areas are also conducive environments for mariculture development as well as algaculture /seaweed farming.

The typical smallholder aquaculture/mariculture producers in Kilifi, operate low-input/low-output enterprises because of inadequate technical expertise, input challenges (quality of fingerlings and feed or affordability of good quality ones), and inadequate marketing channels. Since land and water are becoming scarce for aquaculture due to competition from various sectors, several technological advancements have been promoted to achieve sustainable fish production.

The smallholder farmers will be trained on Culture Systems and Innovative Production Technologies; Fish Breeding; Feeds and Feeding Management; Fish Health and Bio-security, post-harvest loss reduction and value addition

It expected that existing ponds will be utilized to full capacity and will have fish survival rate of 80%. Expected outcome is regular fish production from existing fish ponds all year round, access to market for all fish produced and value addition of 30% of the fish produced. The impact will be job creation for youth since they will be able to fully utilize their existing ponds.

The projects expected outcomes include the following;

1. Adoption of Innovative Production Technologies in Aquaculture and Mariculture improved
2. Production improved by having fish survival rate of 80% for every pond stocked
3. Marketed share of pond reared fish improved

Expected impacts

1. Incomes derived from fisheries value chain improved
2. Employment created in fisheries value chain
3. Food and nutrition security in target beneficiaries enhanced

The action will build the capacity of Umoja group Kibokoni to operate the marine Tilapia hatchery with training and mentorship from KEMFRI and close monitoring from USTADI foundation and the county government fisheries department so that they can be able to fully utilize their ponds and also be a source of fingerlings to other groups along the Kilifi creek and Rabai as shown in the table below.