Mud crab Farming Policy Brief - 2 Improving livelihoods through mud crab farming in coastal Kenya “Research innovations for food security and livelihoods”

Abstract

After three decades of mud crab research in Kenya where Kenya Marine and Fisheries research Institute (KMFRI) has played a center stage, the industry is now providing income and employment to rural villages where it could have been difficult to attract any enterprise. Through investigative and follow-up studies, mud crabs are now fattened for 1-3 months in floating plastic cages fabricated locally using ordinary plastic crates and other local materials. Juvenile crabs that are less than 80g are farmed in earthen ponds constructed in intertidal mangrove areas. The crabs are grown to more than 350 g before they are transferred to fattening floating cages before they are taken to the market. About a decade ago, market size crabs were sold to tourist hotels, private homes and middlemen who were rather exploitative (150-350 ksh/kg). However, with the development of local community eco-restaurants like crab shack restaurant at Dabaso-mida creek that are providing market for crab, farmers are now getting better prices (400-550 ksh/kg). Research has assisted the Dabaso group to develop a mud crab value added product “samosa” that is earning them 200 ksh/piece i.e. 2000 ksh/kg of crab (one crab of 500 g can make 5 “samosa” @ 200sh). Mud crab farming has the potential of becoming a multi-million industry in the coastal region. However, to avoid the negative impacts that may occur due to dependency on wild seed, there is a dire need to harness efforts to finalize the 1st marine hatchery at Shimoni to supply seed to the farmers.