Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute has partnered with Aquaculture Business Development Programme (ABDP) to develop innovative Mechanisms geared towards boosting fish production in fish ponds.
Speaking at the Research Institute station in Kegati, Kisii Central Sub County, Kisii County, Dr. Paul Orina who is the centre Director said the two organisations were introducing solar powered aeration systems to pump oxygen into the farmers’ fish ponds to stagger the numbers and have more harvest from the units.
Dr. Orina who is also Assistant Director overseeing Fresh Water Aquaculture in the Country, said they had introduced capacity building activities for farmers especially on innovative production of fish feeds ingredients by using locally available materials to help cut on costs and increase availability to farmers.
He noted they were also looking at the fish feeds policy which is undergoing development, to ensure farmers find relief by lowering commercial feeds prices to make them more affordable and accessible.
To sustain ample production, the collaboration was looking into ways of improving seed through improved breeding programme of Tilapia and F9 generation which he explained was equivalent the Gift fish.
He noted that they were developing improved brood stocks, with Sagana being the Apex of production, after which the good agricultural practices are cascaded down to other multiplication centres which in turn share with private hatcheries.
This, he said, ensures quality fingerlings are readily available with an aim to increasing production, raising income and bettering nutrition of citizens at the household level.
KMFRI carries research activities in aquaculture with an aim of supporting both land and cage fish farming in small water bodies like fish ponds and Lake Victoria, by guiding farmers to do better investments through ecologically sound approaches.
ABDP is supported by IFAD from Rome.
By Jane Naitore
