Lack of funds threatens to derail fish farming projects

Fish production from Lake Victoria has declined from 200,000 metric tonnes in 1999 to about 114,000 metric tonnes last year with no signs of recovery.

Fully exploited

The fisheries ministry had carried our aquaculture suitability survey noting that preliminary results indicate that there is potential for farming in the whole country.

Dr Otuoma said the potential area suitable for fish farming is over 1.14 million hectares, adding that if the potential is fully exploit, production could be increased to 11 million metric tonnes per annum and fetch Sh750 billion.

Fish farming could create an industry employing and supporting a substantial number of farmers, feed manufactures, fish processors, traders and other actors.

The current production is only 4,220 metric tonnes with a total area under aquaculture production standing at 722 hectares.

Kenya has a vast network of water bodies that favour farming of a wide variety of fish species of commercial and food value, but has shown minimal growth since the early 1920s when it was started.

Dr Otuoma said  at the coast region Sh4 billion has been set aside for fish farming in the constituencies that border Kenya’s coastline of the Indian Ocean.

“These initiatives are geared towards bringing aquaculture sector production at par with the 50:50 global capture,” he said.