Seaweed Farming Policy Brief - 1 Seaweed farming industry in Kenya “Tapping into the blue economy and mitigating climate change impacts”

Abstract

The seaweed farming research program has developed and continues to refine suitable technologies for farming two species of seaweeds Euchema denticulatum (Spinosum) and Kappaphycus alvarezii (cottonii) in addition to providing guidance in establishment of suitable markets plus value addition technologies that are geared towards improving proceeds to farmers. The highly priced Kappaphycus is easily affected by environmental variations and thus Kenya Marine and Fisheries Institute (KMFRI) is developing technology to farm the species in relatively deep waters to evade the impacts of climate change that brings about temperature fluctuations. Based in the innovations, seaweed farming has advanced more than any other mariculture species in Kenya due to a number of attributes that involve use of low capital requirements and material inputs, relatively simple farming techniques, short production cycles that can take place year round. Consequently, the farming has become very prominent for smallholder farmers along the coast mainly women who can now make money to support their families. Currently the farming is directly supporting more than 150 house households i.e. more than 1000 people in the south coast of Kenya. Consequently, the interventions are providing employment opportunities at the village level and therefore assisting to improve the livelihoods of smallholder farmers or fishers thus generating substantial socio-economic benefits to coastal communities in Kenya. This can be witnessed through the number of families able to take their children to school in addition to meeting day-to-day needs. However, a multiplicity of barriers and constraints have been documented to impact seaweed farming globally and in Kenya that are to be addressed through the seaweed research initiatives by KMFRI i.e. high temperature fluctuations, changing weather conditions due to climate change, seaweeds diseases, uncertain and fluctuating dry seaweed markets and limited value-added products. These factors lead to low incomes of seaweed farmers. Therefore this seaweed policy document has been developed to highlight the research and innovation on the various aspects of seaweed farming and challenges the industry is facing. It’s envisioned that the information will assist investors, potential farmers, policy makers and other stakeholders to make decisions on the way forward for the industry in order to tap into the potential of the expansive ocean space.