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Add To Calendar 26/06/2025 16:10:0026/06/2025 16:30:00Africa/CairoWorld Aquaculture Safari 2025ADOPTION OF CLIMATE-SMART FEEDS FOR IMPROVED AQUACULTURE PRODUCTION AMONG SMALLHOLDER FARMERS IN RURAL KENYABwindi HallThe World Aquaculture Societyjohnc@was.orgfalseDD/MM/YYYYanrl65yqlzh3g1q0dme13067

ADOPTION OF CLIMATE-SMART FEEDS FOR IMPROVED AQUACULTURE PRODUCTION AMONG SMALLHOLDER FARMERS IN RURAL KENYA

Mary A. Opiyo*, Michael Waweru, Damaris Nyawira, Nimo Jamaal, Domitila Kyule, Fonda Jane Awuor, Horace Owiti, Mercy Asuka, Isaac Wamalwa, Grace Njagi, Ruth Lewo, Sammy Macaria, Richard Abila

 

Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute, National Aquaculture Research Development and Training Center,  P.O. Box 451-10230, Sagana, Kenya

 

*Corresponding author email: marybede@gmail.com

 



Fish feed is the most expensive input for any aquaculture enterprise due to the use of fish meal fish oil and soybeans which are very costly. Additionally, use of soybean has been contributing to deforestation and ecological disruption thereby leading to climate change issues, affecting the aquaculture sector. This study evaluates the production and utilization of mosquito fern (Azolla pinnata), black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) larvae (BSF), duckweed (Lemna minor) and Earthworm (Eisenia fetida) as an alternative feed for aquaculture in Kenya. The main objective is to address the challenges arising from declining fish stocks and unsustainable aquaculture practices reliant on fish meal and commercial pellets. The study involved 297 smallholder farmers in 14 counties implementing the Aquaculture Business Development Program (ABDP) in Western, Nyanza and Eastern and Central region of Kenya. A descriptive research design was adopted, and a survey was conducted to collect data on the adoption of the various feeds. Results indicated that most fish farmers who were adopting climate-smart feeds were middle-aged groups (78%) and were mainly male (73%). The most adopted feed was A. pinnata which was produced and utilized in all the counties with a total of 343,816 kg with a value of USD 292,535 being produced. The feed with the highest increase in fish production was BSF which led to an increase in production by 50% due to its superior nutritional value.  This study also highlights the importance of incorporating these climate-smart feeds to reduce the utilization of commercial feeds which rely on fish meal and soybean to enhance environmentally sustainable aquaculture.