World Bank support for East African aquaculture
The World Bank has released Sh100 million (€915,000) to enhance productivity and competitiveness of fish farming in three East Africa countries.
The collaborative project will run for two years and will involve intensive research in aquaculture to increase production in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda, reports AllAfrica.
Kenya’s ministry of fisheries Permanent Secretary Pro. Japhet Micheni Ntiba made the disclosure at the launch of a project at the National Aquaculture and Research Development and Training centre at Sagana in Kirinyaga County.
"Natural fisheries production has reached its limit of 100 metric tonnes leaving a widening supply gap that can only be narrowed down through aquaculture," said Ntiba.
The project dubbed Association for Strengthening Agricultural Research in Eastern and Central Africa (ASARECA) will bring together top five scientists from the region to lead the programme with Kenya allocated sh24 million (€219,455).
Feed shortage
Ntiba pointed out that formulated fish feed quality is poor noting that the demand in Kenya alone stands at 30 tonnes and expected to rise to 200 tonnes soon.
"The feed in the market must be sampled since most of it is falling below the standards. We must certify the feed and scientists must help us," he said.
He further noted that the demand for certified tilapia and cat fish fingerlings has risen sharply to 50 million following the shs6 Billion Economic (€54.8m) stimulus projects that saw the construction of 48,000 ponds.
Join 26,000+ subscribers
Subscribe to our newsletter to stay updated about all the need-to-know content in the feed sector, three times a week.
