Fish farming enterprise productivity program (FFEPP) as an impetus to Oreochromis niloticus (L.) farming in Western Kenya: Lessons to learn

Abstract

Fish Farming Enterprise Productivity Program (FFEPP) under the Economic Stimulus Program (ESP) was a Kenyan government initiative that targeted the improvement of fish farming in the country. To evaluate the achievement of the program, this paper looks at the measurable aspects of the main farmed fish species, Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) and its crosses in the western part of Kenya. In this study, fish from at least three farms in each of 14 districts were assessed for purity and condition. Weight-length-relationship values for the slope ranged from 3.01 to 3.06 for pure O. niloticus and 3.38 to 3.52 for the crosses. Regression coefficients indicated isometric and positive allometric growths respectively for the pure O. niloticus and its crosses. The condition factor values computed were higher than 1 suggesting healthy individuals. Most (92%) ponds in Western Kenya were stocked with tilapia in the year 2010 as compared to only 4% in 2003 and early 2009. The weight-length relationship and socioeconomic attributes analyzed possibly signify that FFEPP served as an impetus to Nile tilapia farming in Western Kenya; hence, the need for its continuation and adoption in other parts of the developing world.