Assessment of Growth Performance of Monosex Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis Niloticus) in Cages Using Low-Cost, Locally Produced Supplemental Feeds and Training Fish Farmers on Best Management Practices in Kenya

Abstract

Changing technology in aquaculture has been the major driving force for increasing aquaculture production in the phase of dwindling open water stocks. The choice of technologies and their adoption still remain a focus to increase production, productivity and farm incomes. We assessed the growth of Nile tilapia using locally available materials that included cages and low cost feeds to increased tilapia production in ponds. Various interventions were used among them experimental trials where we formulated low cost diets replacing expensive fish meal. A series of four workshops were also conducted over the course of this project period under this intervention. The first workshop on the development and use of best management practices in aquaculture was held in August 2014. This workshop targeting women in aquaculture had 18 women in attendance. There were two subsequent workshops, held in March and August 2015, and attended by fish farmers from Kirinyaga County. The fourth workshop was held for two days between 2nd and 3rd October 2015. This workshop specifically targeted the youth in aquaculture aimed at training the youth on integrated cage and pond culture focusing on development of cage culture in reservoirs located in the county of Kirinyaga that are presently underutilized by the communities. Graduate support covered three female students who selected because of their previous linkage with AquaFish CRSP and excellent role they continue to play in development of aquaculture in this region. Among them two have submitted their theses for examination. We submitted five peer reviewed publications during this project period with two being specific on low cost feed and fish meal replacement. AquaFish provided funds for HCPIs and graduate students to attend National, Regional and WAS Meetings and Conferences as well. We note that farmers adopted feed technology very well and in their survey feed formulation and fish breeding were their priority. Under lesson learned, we noted that farmers required frequent visits, simple materials for reading and constant communication. They also require strategies on fish marketing such as use of cell phones applications and Aquashops.