In this GCFSI student innovation grant project, aquaculture production will be used to combat the growing gap in the supply and demand of fish in Africa.

Project Lead: Nguhe Ruth Matanda

In this project, aquaculture production will be used to combat the growing gap in the supply and demand of fish in Africa. Although fish has the potential to be the cheapest protein source available, there is still very low per capita fish consumption in Africa because of its current price. Therefore, there is a need to increase fish production in an effort to lower cost. In 2008, the government of Kenya identified aquaculture as one of its economic stimulus programs, yet the Ministry of Fisheries Development has not been able to provide enough fish for local markets, making them a highly exclusive good.

Currently, the fish feeds available at markets represent 50-60 percent of production costs, which is not efficient for commercial farming. That is why this project also allows for an investment in alternative sources of feed for fish, which will contribute to better aquaculture in Africa, and possibly the world at large.

This study, conducted in Sagana through the University of Nairobi, will focus on the growth of catfish using three different fish food sources: marine polychaetes and termites as protein supplement; formulated feeds from a Sagana fish farm; and commercial feeds bought from the local market. After testing which foods yield the biggest, most nutritionally dense fish, the study the will determine the food conversion ratio and conversion efficiency rates of the fish to increase efficiency within the process.