1. THE FAO NATIONAL AQUACULTURE STAKEHOLDERS WORKSHOP;
KENYA CHAPTER
23RD AND 24TH MARCH 2009
Report On Workshop Proceedings
Mbugua H. Mwangi,
Ministry of Fisheries Development,
Directorate Of Aquaculture Development,
Kenya.

2. The Kenya National Aquaculture Stakeholders Workshop was held from 22nd to 24th March 2009 at Royal Springs Hotel in Nakuru, Kenya.
OBJECTIVES:
Share and internalise with Key National aquaculture stakeholders the outcomes of the FAO Workshop On Rice And Aquaculture, held in Kampala, Uganda
Review the situation and constraints to aquaculture development in Kenya
Identify the main aquaculture development constraints to be fast tracked and addressed by the GCP/INT/053/JPN project 

3. Terms Of Reference (ToRs) National Aquaculture Stakeholders Workshop
Provide a forum for discussion and information sharing for Key National aquaculture stakeholders
Internalise the project design, activities and goals of the GCP/INT/053/JPN) project
Share and internalise the outcomes of the FAO Workshop On Rice And Aquaculture, held in Kampala, Uganda, 3rd To 7th Nov with Key National aquaculture stakeholders
Identify issues contributing to the slow growth of aquaculture in the country and give guidelines on how to deal with them.

4. Identify with the key stakeholders the main issues to be fast tracked and addressed by the GCP/INT/053/JPN project
Come up with conclusions and recommendations to be presented during the next regional Workshop.
Establish an action plan to address the Workshops conclusions and recommendations
Write the Workshop report and forward to PS the Ministry of Fisheries Development and FAO Country Director (Kenya)

5. The Workshop agenda Introduction the Workshop and its agenda
Overview of the project (GCP//053/JPN)
Outcomes of the FAO Workshop On Rice And Aquaculture, Kampala, Uganda, Nov. 2008
Overview of aquaculture in Kenya focussing on Opportunities, constraints and proposed development agenda
Establishing National Aquaculture Development Strategy
Elements of NADS
Establishment of NADS
Implementation of NADS
Conclusions and recommendations
Discussion on important constraints to aquaculture development, possible solutions and action plan

6. Attendance
21 participants selected representing a wide spectrum of aquaculture industry
Participants from the public sector
Top level managers in the Ministry of Fisheries
Mid level managers in the Ministry
Extension service providers representing all regions of Kenya
Aquaculture Researchers
Representative from aquaculture training and research institution

7. Participants from private sector
Aquaculture producers
Farmers association representatives
Aquaculture service providers
Representatives of; ornamental, trout and tilapia/catfish producers
Aquaculture input providers
CIGs representatives
Representatives from Financial institutions

8. Overview Of Aquaculture Development In Kenya:
Ministry of Fisheries has already initiated reforms in the aquaculture sector in line with the issues raised during the FAO regional Workshop:
Creation of Directorate of Aquaculture - fully address the aquaculture development
Addition staff to provide extension services
Constitution of NADWG
Aquaculture policy in line with the Fisheries policy and NADS from the existing draft.

9. Facilitated the formation AAK - fast tract private sector involvement
The Government has continued to fund the aquaculture demonstration centres
Aquaculture development has been fully integrated in all major agricultural development initiatives including ASDS, NARS and NASEP.

10. Overview of draft NADS
Objectives:
Creating an enabling environment
Facilitating access to markets
Increasing output and productivity
Strengthening aquaculture institutions
Establishing a monitoring and evaluation system
Enhancing ICT in the aquaculture directorate
Institutionalizing public service Integrity 

11. The strategic Issues include
Weak policy and legal framework in Aquaculture sub-sector
Low Aquaculture Production
Market Access and Information system
Weak Institutional capacity and linkages
Monitoring and evaluation framework
Inadequate information technology
Aquaculture development and the environment

12. DISCUSSIONS, CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
The following constraints were identified for discussion in plenary sessions:
None existence and/or inadequate supply of quality fish seeds and feeds
None existence and/or inadequate credit facility and marketing systems
Limited aquaculture production knowledge and techniques among the producers and service providers
Weak policy and legal framework that drives aquaculture development

13. None existence and/or inadequate credit facility and marketing systems
The government to
Establish fish marketing infrastructure
Establish fish marketing standards and assist in reducing fish price disparity - market information system
Develop credit facilities modality and mechanisms in partnership with willing financial institutions, - credit needs
Create awareness among aquaculture investors on credit availability and requirements

14. Publicize to prospective financiers the viability of this subsector
Partner with mass media to publicize investment opportunities in aquaculture sub-sector
Train farmers on customer service to improve advocacy and retention
Encourage fish farmer clustering to create critical mass 

15. 2. Limited aquaculture production knowledge and techniques among the producers and service providers
Capacity building for farmers and extension services providers through issued based, continuous and rigorous trainings
Sharing information to all aquaculture stakeholders
Harmonize ASDS programs among the Agricultural sector Ministries
Recruit adequate technical and support staff within the Aquaculture sector
Provide adequate funding to spur aquaculture development

16. The government provide adequate infrastructure to the grass root – roads, power
Develop ICT infrastructure to the grass root to the fisheries extension officers and the aquaculture stakeholders
Develop harmonized fish farming extension material
Encourage the private sector involvement in extension services delivery
Implement NASEP and NARS based framework for Aquaculture

17. 3. Weak policy and legal framework that drives aquaculture development
The private sector has not been adequately involved in the development of aquaculture agendas.
Reasons:
Lack of the government recognition of the importance of private sector in aquaculture development
Limited information on the part of the private sector on their role in aquaculture development
Lack of organization among the aquaculture producers

18. Proposed actions:
The MoFD should enhance the NADWG by involving all key players – permanent members are all public
The MoFD to facilitate stakeholders forums
MoFD to encourage and support the formation of aquaculture cluster groups 

19. RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE JAPANESE INITIATIVE (GCP/INT/053/JPN)
The Workshop observed the following as issues for priority attention of the project (GCP/INT/053/JPN):
Urgently complete the NADS (existing draft)
Provide for capacity building and assist on holding national Workshops work on the NADS
Completion of the existing draft NADS will require two stakeholders’ consultative Workshops before publishing and public sensitization

20. Establish solution measures to address constrains in commercial fish feeds and adequate and quality fish seeds production
Support to aquaculture facilities to enhance efficiency and production capacity of juveniles
Establishment of commercial fish feed manufacture/supply and distribution chain
Strengthen through capacity building, research, extension, and entrepreneurship to enhance availability of quality seeds and feeds.
Entrepreneurs include Hatchery managers, farmers, feed producers, and cluster groups.

21. Suppot to increase aquaculture production through by adopting new appropriate and efficient technologies
Support to carry out demand driven aquaculture research espectially in priority needs such as seeds, feeds, value addition and post harvets losses
Support development of aquaculture products market infrastures

22. 3. Assist in acquisition of credit for aquaculture investors
4. Assist on exchange of experience and expertise between countries
Support exchange study tours by fish farmers and extension service providers to Emerging Developing Countries (especially from Asia)
Support short local courses for technical staff and fish farmers

23. 5. Technical support on Integration of Irrigation and Aquaculture
Support pilot programs in rice/fish culture in rice producing areas (Mwea, Ahero, Taveta, Tana river delta)

24. THANK YOU