Publication Date:
2021-05-19
Description:
A series of experiments and trials was conducted at Sagana Fish Farm (elevation 1230 meters) which is located in Central Province Kenya but is very similar in climate to the Lake Basin area. Various combinations of chemical fertiliser and bran were evaluated in terms of resulting water quality, fish growth and pond carrying capacity, and cost of inputs to produce one kg of fish. Enterprise budgets were made based on prices of inputs in Central province. The objective of the research was to develop a system that can achieve standing crops of at least 5 tons ha of market size fish for a feed/fertiliser cost of less than KSh 25 per kg of live fish produced. In a tilapia/clarias polyculture, standing crops of 2.5 to 3 tons per hectare can be obtained with chemical fertilizers alone. A combination of bran and chemical fertiliser can result in fish production of 5 to 7 tons per hectare in about 6 or 7 months. The bran exerts a mitigating effect on some of the water quality problems resulting from the use of chemical fertilisers. A sample enterprise budget is presented in which feeds and fertilisers account for 33% of variable costs, labour (field workers plus security) accounts for 33%, fingerlings account for 21% and interest 14%. In this budget, feeds and fertilisers cost less than KSh18 per kg of fish produced. However, break-even price is KSh 67 per kg when pond amortisation and cost of capital is considered. Producers who are in the Lake Victoria areas would have a difficult time turning a profit unless they find a niche market that capitalises on the freshness and food safety of the fish. If the farm size (area under water) is increased to 5 hectares, break-even cost of fish production will drop to about KSh 56 per kg. Producers with larger farms would be able to lower their prices and possibly turn a profit even near the lakes. They could supply an export market if the exchange rates were favourable. As a few fish farmers begin to make some money through the semi-intensive management scheme presented here, more intensive strategies may become feasible. However, it is clear that farmers who start small without borrowing money have an advantage because even subsidised interest rates are high.
Description:
Published
Keywords:
Commercial fishing
;
Fishery industry
;
Fishery products
;
Feed preparation
;
Cost analysis
;
Water quality
;
Freshwater aquaculture
;
Inland fisheries
;
LV2000
Repository Name:
AquaDocs
Type:
Book Section
,
Not Known
Format:
pp.290-303
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