Review and analysis of small-scale aquaculture production in East Africa : Summary and Recommendations

This report describes the findings of literature studies and of interviews with fish farmers and key informants in Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda as well as recommended actions that result from the findings. The studies were commissioned by Msingi East Africa in collaboration with Stichting BoP Innovation Centre and have been reported in four separate reports, covering each country. This final report provides a summary of all country reports. Extensive to semi-intensive production of Tilapia and to a lesser extent, African Catfish in small ponds is the most common production system in the region. However, there is a rapidly expanding culture of tilapia production in floating cages taking place in Lake Victoria and in other lakes. The situation of small-scale aquaculture producers as well as support services in the four countries differs but most small-scale fish farmers in the region are confronted with a shortage of essential inputs (especially fish feed, fingerlings and credit) of good quality and affordable price. The level of knowledge about better farm management practices, of related skills and application of more advanced technology (needed to increase productivity and income) is low for most farmers. For most countries the opportunities for the more advanced segment of small-scale farmers to grow are good. The study recommends a number of actions which it is believed will contribute to growth of smallholders’ production and income for all the countries surveyed