Abstract
This study assessed the status of fish farming in Makueni County, Kenya in 2015 (three years after expiry of Economic Stimulus Programme (ESP). The study sampled 146 fish farmers. Based on the study results, Makueni has a vibrant fish farming activities along rivers Athi, Makindu and Kiboko with 46.6% active fish farmers. Females consisted 43.2 of fish farmers, a good indication in alleviating poverty and food insecurity. Ninety four percent of farmers practice tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) monoculture on a semi intensive system. A situational analysis using Strengths, Weakness, Opportunities, Threats (SWOT) identified: Main strengths were catfish (Clarias gariepinus) potential as first choice of fish production, excellent extension-farmer contact links, and private hatchery development. Opportunities that can be promoted include public-private collaboration in infrastructure development, extension, wildlife conflict and research among others. The study recommended that Fish farmers, County officials and National policy makers concentrate on identified SWOT in order to collaboratively develop a sustainable fish-farming sector. Secondly, County government should identify serious fish farmers and increase its collaboration programs that promote suitable pond selection sites, quality affordable feeds, postharvest refrigerated cooling systems and hatchery development. Academic significance of the study is that fish farming can be sustainable practiced in Arid and Semi-arid Lands (ASALs) if there is a collaborative efforts between farmers and the public sector.
Highlights
The Kenya national government under its Vision 2030 between 2009 and 2012 [1] identified fish farming as an alternative livelihood strategy for communities in Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASALs)
Most of those fish farmers are concentrated in Kibwezi, which has 192
Most of the fish ponds constructed in Kibwezi are constructed using earth as in Table 1 mainly along the river banks of Athi, Makindu and Kibwezi; Liner and concrete ponds mainly at institutions and farmers’ home; large earth dams in Mbooni and Sand dams [13]
Summary
The Kenya national government under its Vision 2030 between 2009 and 2012 [1] identified fish farming as an alternative livelihood strategy for communities in Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASALs).
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
