Optimising fisheries information for decision making among Kenyan fish pond smallholders

Abstract

Being a manager of his/her farmholding, the smallholder is described as having objectives and decisions. The smallholder is therefore a decision maker reflecting an organised decision‐making unit. These activities are carried out with the purpose of satisfying the small farmer’s goals as derived from objectives and priorities set. Farm level operations are upheld as a typical goal‐oriented system in which farmers’ decisions are taken in consideration with the prevailing environment and constraints. Chosen for this discussion are the Kisii, Vihiga and Kakamega areas of western Kenya. These areas are characterised by high population density, high agricultural potential area with reduced land, practising permanent cultivation with mixed farming, poverty and low incomes and unsteady food supplies. Basically this describes the smallholder environment and its constraints in relation to fish pond farming. What is apparent is the understanding of the environment and how it shapes the farmers’ operations in directing their decisions with reference to pond fisheries. Covered in this discussion are issues relating to farmer management strategies, decision‐making processes, decision making at the farm level and the information application processes.