Training of Trainers’ Manual for Climate Smart Aquaculture Practices

Abstract

In line with other relevant policies and legislative frameworks, Kenya’s Vision 2030 recognizes the contribution of aquaculture to food and nutrition security, poverty reduction and sustainable livelihoods. The current contribution of the Marine and Freshwater Fisheries Sector to the GDP stands at an average of 0.6%. For this reason, the government in its Third Medium Term Plan (MTP III) for the period 2018 to 2022, identified the sector as a key investment opportunity to spur national economic growth and development. Aquaculture contributes to Food and Nutritional Security Pillar of Kenya’s Big 4 Agenda through fish consumption and income generation. Furthermore, the sector contributes to poverty alleviation, economic growth and job creation through employment of over 50,000 Kenyans. Therefore, the sub-sector provides an innovative option for achieving food security under changing climate by delivering co-benefits in terms of food and nutrition, improved incomes and livelihoods, and environmental sustainability. Kenya is endowed with extensive aquatic ecosystems, which can support significant commercial production of fish required to fill the growing gap between the national fish supply and demand associated with decline of capture fisheries. Aquaculture production in the country increased tremendously from 1,000 tons in 2006 to a peak of 24,096 tons in 2014. This growth was attributed to the Economic Stimulus Program (ESP) with was supported by the Government of Kenya (GoK) between 2009 and 2013. In 2015, the number of fish farmers was estimated at 32,000 countrywide with production of 18,656 Metric tons (SDF, 2016). However, pond-based aquaculture production has registered depressed performance for the third consecutive year, with total fish output dropping from 18,656 tonnes in 2015 to 12,356 tonnes in 2017 (KNBS, 2018). At present, Kenya’s aquaculture industry is evolving from traditional to modern aquaculture systems, but its sustainable development is facing many challenges, ranging from resource limitations and environmental safeguards, limits on aquaculture space extension, and increased incidences of diseases and potential food safety problems, competition for land, water, energy and feed resources all of which require immediate interventions. For the aquaculture industry to be transformed and upgraded, there is need to upscale modern technologies, innovations and management practices (TIMPs) to realize sustainable development envisaged in the SDGs. The innovations include development of model aquaparks, intensive recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS), tank-based systems, hydroponics and aquaponics, as well as high-density intensive production cages in lakes and reservoirs. For instance, cage culture has emerged to become a significant supply system for Nile tilapia over the past decade. Currently, there are over 4,500 cages in Lake Victoria producing an estimated 5,000 tons of fish annually.