Artemia farming in Kenya was introduced in the early 1980s through the Kenya-Belgium Project to assess its feasibility in salt ponds. Over the years, three major projects have been implemented: the initial feasibility study in the 1980s, a 2010 initiative to improve coastal community livelihoods, and a 2020 collaborative project to enhance production and expand Artemia farming to Tanzania. Kenya’s Artemia farming is closely linked to commercial and artisanal saltworks along the coast, with production primarily targeting cysts and biomass for aquaculture hatcheries. Despite efforts to promote local production, the country remains largely dependent on imported Artemia cysts, which are crucial for hatcheries producing marine fish, shrimp, and ornamental species. However, with the World Bank through the Kenya Marine Fisheries and Socio-Economic Development (KEMFSED) project supporting four marine hatcheries in the country, the demand for Artemia is expected to rise, hence the need to enhance the local production. Given its extensive saline ponds, favourable climatic conditions, and growing aquaculture sector, Kenya has significant potential for Artemia farming. While Artemia farming is already integrated with salt production, its full potential remains underutilized due to challenges such as low production efficiency, rudimentary cyst harvesting methods, and genetic dilution of introduced strains. Recent advancements, including investments in Artemia cyst processing and research on improved farming practices, aim to strengthen local production. Future opportunities lie in enhancing Artemia-salt farm integration, expanding market linkages, and improving policy support to reduce reliance on imports. Strengthening local supply chains and modernizing harvesting techniques will be crucial in positioning Kenya as a key Artemia producer within East Africa, supporting the growth of aquaculture in the region.
Keywords: Artemia, Kenya, East Africa, Livelihoods, Saltworks