Challenges Facing Fish Farming Development in Western Kenya

This paper examines the challenges facing fish farming development in western kenya. Sample survey of 192 farmers representing the fish farming community in the area was used. The study result revealed that the high prices of fish feed, declining fish prices and lack of finance were found to be the top ranking serious challenges facing fish farmers in that area. A Cross-sectional and longitudinal Survey research design was adopted for the study. Stratified sampling was used to select fish farming households. Key informants were selected through purposive sampling method. Data gathering was through multiple methods; where primary and secondary data were collected. Data analysis made use of descriptive statistics, where numerical and non-numerical summary of data were used. Chi-Square was used to test the independence between variables. Spearman rank order correlation coefficient was used to test relationship between fish farmers ranking of various variables affecting them. Findings were, fish farmers faced several management problems which included high cost, unavailability and low quality of feeds, drying up of ponds during drought, lack of fingerlings, flooding, siltation of ponds, pond maintenance and poor security. Benefits of the study are; the government through Kebs should frequently carry out spot checks on feeds supplied to Agrovets to ascertain its quality. Fish farmers will adopt Best Management Practices in fish farming in order to improve their household food security and livelihoods through increased income. The study therefore suggests that the government through Kebs should frequently carry out spot checks on feeds supplied to Agrovets to ascertain its quality. There is need for the fish farmers to carry out a proximate analysis for crude protein content to ascertain the quality of the feeds to be used. Fish farmers should also be trained on feed formulation and fish breeding to maintain a constant supply, quality and save on costs for both feeds and fingerlings.