The Government of Kenya has just approved the construction of a Ksh.1 billion (USD 8.5 million) Aquaculture Centre of Excellence in Kisumu County in an effort to beef up the sustainable use of Kenya’s maritime resources for economic growth. The proposed establishment of the center is welcome news, but there are many questions that need some serious consideration.
Given that Kenya is so well positioned with the Indian Ocean on one side and the second largest freshwater lake in the world on the other side, what is it that has hampered the development of aquaculture in the country? Is the proposed institute the missing link, or will it be just another public initiative that will end up limping along ineffectively because of being underfunded, underutilized and perennially underperforming?
The Lake Victoria region where the proposed facility will be located is well endowed with good climate, good soil and plenty of water resources including relatively good rainfall. Paradoxically, the region today has no functional economic “engine”. Agro-based industries, like sugar and textile, which used to provide employment for thousands of people, have collapsed. Sadly, Lake Victoria, which is arguably the region’s greatest resource, has been degraded by pollution, destructive fishing methods and a host of other factors, mostly attributable poor regulation and management.
So, therein lies my core question: Are there, perhaps, some non-economic factors (politics, culture, leadership, corruption…???) that explain why the economy of the Lake Victoria region has been on a negative trajectory?
What needs to happen in order for the proposed aquaculture institute to be the catalyst that will make aquaculture the driver of growth and employment in region? Does anybody care to answer?
aquaculture , fisheries , kisumu , The Aquaculture Group , Aquaculture Focus , Gatsby Africa , Victory Farms
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