Characterization of fish production and marketing practices under small-holder fish farming systems of eastern Kenya

Aquaculture, a sub-component within the fisheries sector is a vital economic activity and livelihood component of rural communities living beside rivers and river floodplains in East Africa. It provides a good alternative source of income and proteins for rural communities. This study aimed to chara...

Descripción completa

Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores principales: Oyieng, Edwin P., Charo, H.K., Kahi, A.K., Ojango, Julie M.K.
Formato: Journal Article
Lenguaje:Inglés
Publicado: 2013
Materias:
Acceso en línea:https://hdl.handle.net/10568/34423
_version_ 1855518247321862144
author Oyieng, Edwin P.
Charo, H.K.
Kahi, A.K.
Ojango, Julie M.K.
author_browse Charo, H.K.
Kahi, A.K.
Ojango, Julie M.K.
Oyieng, Edwin P.
author_facet Oyieng, Edwin P.
Charo, H.K.
Kahi, A.K.
Ojango, Julie M.K.
author_sort Oyieng, Edwin P.
collection Repository of Agricultural Research Outputs (CGSpace)
description Aquaculture, a sub-component within the fisheries sector is a vital economic activity and livelihood component of rural communities living beside rivers and river floodplains in East Africa. It provides a good alternative source of income and proteins for rural communities. This study aimed to characterize fish production and marketing practices in smallholder farming systems under a national Economic Stimulus Programme (ESP) in the Eastern province of Kenya, and to determine the traits of economic importance to the farmers. Information was collated from 198 farmers, 13 traders and three key informants within Meru District of Eastern Province. The predominant species of fish reared was the Nile Tilapia, followed by the African Catfish and in some instances a combination of the two species were reared under polyculture. Good growth rate and survival of fish were noted to be the most important traits of economic importance to the farmers. Fish produced was mainly sold to the local community and within local markets. Traders, however, indicated that the demand for fish was much higher than the supply, hence also sourced fish from Lake Victoria in Nyanza for sale. It was also indicated that the taste of fish differed greatly depending on the source, with wild fish strains from Lake Victoria having a “sweeter” taste than the farmed strains. Strains of fish selected for improved growth and reproduction were not available for aquaculture. Feeds and feeding management of farmed fish was also a challenge. It was evident that there is a great need for supportive research on environmental impacts, productivity and quality of fish reared, and marketing of fish products within the riverine environments of Kenya. Key words: aquaculture, fish marketing, traits of economic importance
format Journal Article
id CGSpace34423
institution CGIAR Consortium
language Inglés
publishDate 2013
publishDateRange 2013
publishDateSort 2013
record_format dspace
spelling CGSpace344232024-01-09T09:52:22Z Characterization of fish production and marketing practices under small-holder fish farming systems of eastern Kenya Oyieng, Edwin P. Charo, H.K. Kahi, A.K. Ojango, Julie M.K. fishes Aquaculture, a sub-component within the fisheries sector is a vital economic activity and livelihood component of rural communities living beside rivers and river floodplains in East Africa. It provides a good alternative source of income and proteins for rural communities. This study aimed to characterize fish production and marketing practices in smallholder farming systems under a national Economic Stimulus Programme (ESP) in the Eastern province of Kenya, and to determine the traits of economic importance to the farmers. Information was collated from 198 farmers, 13 traders and three key informants within Meru District of Eastern Province. The predominant species of fish reared was the Nile Tilapia, followed by the African Catfish and in some instances a combination of the two species were reared under polyculture. Good growth rate and survival of fish were noted to be the most important traits of economic importance to the farmers. Fish produced was mainly sold to the local community and within local markets. Traders, however, indicated that the demand for fish was much higher than the supply, hence also sourced fish from Lake Victoria in Nyanza for sale. It was also indicated that the taste of fish differed greatly depending on the source, with wild fish strains from Lake Victoria having a “sweeter” taste than the farmed strains. Strains of fish selected for improved growth and reproduction were not available for aquaculture. Feeds and feeding management of farmed fish was also a challenge. It was evident that there is a great need for supportive research on environmental impacts, productivity and quality of fish reared, and marketing of fish products within the riverine environments of Kenya. Key words: aquaculture, fish marketing, traits of economic importance 2013-02-15 2014-01-29T07:14:16Z 2014-01-29T07:14:16Z Journal Article https://hdl.handle.net/10568/34423 en Open Access Oyieng, E.P., Charo, H.K., Kahi, A.K. and Ojango, J.M.K. 2013. Characterization of fish production and marketing practices under small-holder fish farming systems of eastern Kenya. Livestock Research for Rural Development 25(2):32.
spellingShingle fishes
Oyieng, Edwin P.
Charo, H.K.
Kahi, A.K.
Ojango, Julie M.K.
Characterization of fish production and marketing practices under small-holder fish farming systems of eastern Kenya
title Characterization of fish production and marketing practices under small-holder fish farming systems of eastern Kenya
title_full Characterization of fish production and marketing practices under small-holder fish farming systems of eastern Kenya
title_fullStr Characterization of fish production and marketing practices under small-holder fish farming systems of eastern Kenya
title_full_unstemmed Characterization of fish production and marketing practices under small-holder fish farming systems of eastern Kenya
title_short Characterization of fish production and marketing practices under small-holder fish farming systems of eastern Kenya
title_sort characterization of fish production and marketing practices under small holder fish farming systems of eastern kenya
topic fishes
url https://hdl.handle.net/10568/34423
work_keys_str_mv AT oyiengedwinp characterizationoffishproductionandmarketingpracticesundersmallholderfishfarmingsystemsofeasternkenya
AT charohk characterizationoffishproductionandmarketingpracticesundersmallholderfishfarmingsystemsofeasternkenya
AT kahiak characterizationoffishproductionandmarketingpracticesundersmallholderfishfarmingsystemsofeasternkenya
AT ojangojuliemk characterizationoffishproductionandmarketingpracticesundersmallholderfishfarmingsystemsofeasternkenya