Assessment of National Aquaculture Policies and Programmes in Kenya

Abstract

The Fisheries industry plays an important role in the economic and social development of Kenya. It supports over one million people and provides livelihoods to many other Kenyans. Export of fish and fishery products earns Kenya an average of US$ 70m (KShs 5.3 Billion) annually and could increase if aquaculture potential was well tapped. The fishery industry presently contributes about 5% to the National GDP and has the potential to rise to 8% by 2015. The Kenya Government recognizes and is committed to the Policy of sustainable development through the judicious exploitation and use of its natural resources. The contribution of fisheries to local incomes, subsistence and nutrition is significant as it occurs in areas with the highest incidences of poverty. Some of the services provided by the Ministry of Fisheries Development include the provision of National direction on fisheries and fisheries development, husbandry and management. The Ministry contributes to the national food security through its mandate of sustainable utilization of aquatic resources. Many of the food security policies in Kenya are closely linked to Poverty Reduction Strategies (PRS) and Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). During the preparation of the Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper for the Agriculture sector, aquaculture was recognized as one of the core activities that can contribute to poverty alleviation in rural Kenya. In this regard, a Ministry of Fisheries Development was created in 2008 from the former Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries Development. This new Ministry has a mandate to commercialize fish farming through increased investments, capacity building, and field-based applied research with contact farmers. It is expected that the contact farmers would in turn participate in extension through farmer-to-farmer service delivery.