December 23, 2009
Kenya to establish new fish feed protocol
A new fish feed protocol will soon be in place in Kenya to offer guidelines to manufacturers and to ensure that fish farmers get quality feeds.
Fisheries Development Minister Paul Otuoma said they are actively engaged with feed manufacturers to produce quality fish feeds that will result in better fish growth.
The plan is part of the economic stimulus package being rolled out nationwide.
The ministry has begun a fish breeding programme which will include establishing fish seeds standards to make the initiative more efficient and productive. The fisheries economic stimulus programme has KES1.12 billion (US$14.7 million) to support fish farming activities in Kenya because wild fish population is on a steady decline, said Otuoma.
Fish production from Lake Victoria has declined from 200,000 tonnes in 1999 to about 114,000 tonnes in 2008, with no signs of stocks recovering soon. On the other hand, preliminary results from an aquaculture suitability survey stated that Kenya has huge potential for fish farming.
Otuoma said the potential area suitable for fish farming is over 1.14 million hectares, which if fully exploited, could increase production to 11 million tonnes per year, generating KES750 billion (US$9.8 billion).
This would create an industry supporting a substantial number of fish farmers, feed manufacturers, fish processors, traders and other stakeholders.
Kenya''s current fish farming production is only 4,220 tonnes with a total area of 722 hectares.