Small-scale aquaculture in Homa Bay Kenya is being positioned as a solution to food security challenges in the region. The rising cost of agricultural inputs is increasingly constraining production among smallholder farmers in Kenya, undermining efforts to strengthen national food security. Many farmers struggle to afford essential inputs such as fertiliser, certified seeds and farm machinery. These challenges are compounded by climate change, which exposes farmers to unpredictable weather and increases the risks associated with agricultural investment.

Small-scale aquaculture in Homa Bay Keny

To cushion crop farmers, the government has rolled out programmes that provide subsidised fertiliser and seeds. However, farmers engaged in aquaculture say they rarely benefit from similar support despite the sector’s potential to contribute to food security and household incomes.

In Rachuonyo North, Homa Bay County, fish farmer Phoebe Aoko says she abandoned fish farming after floods destroyed her ponds last year. Ms Aoko, who lives in Kauma Village, had invested in two fish ponds stocked with about 800 fingerlings. Heavy rains caused flooding that washed away the fish, wiping out her investment. “Floods damaged my ponds and all the fish swam away. I have not thought of putting new fingerlings after the disaster,” she says.

Fingerlings in the region sell for between Sh5 and Sh10 depending on their size. Farmers say the cost can quickly escalate, especially when combined with other inputs required for successful fish farming. Producers must also purchase fish feeds, predator nets, aeration equipment and water quality monitoring kits, among other inputs. These costs make it difficult for smallholder farmers to expand production.

Evance Ondoro, another fish farmer from Nyakongo Village in Rachuonyo North, faces similar financial constraints. Mr Ondoro has four ponds in his compound, but only two are filled with water and stocked with fingerlings. He says expanding production to all ponds would require substantial investment. “Having more fingerlings is a good step towards getting more money during harvesting, but they also drain pockets,” he says.

His prospects and those of other farmers may soon improve. They have been selected to benefit from an aquaculture support programme that provides free fingerlings to farmers. The initiative is supported by aquaculture company Victory Farms and aims to boost fish production among small-scale farmers. At least 2.5 million fingerlings have been set aside for distribution to farmers in Homa Bay County this month.

Small-scale aquaculture in Homa Bay Kenya is now receiving this major boost. Homa Bay County Fisheries Director Michael Omondi says the programme is designed to strengthen food security while increasing farmers’ incomes. “For there to be enough food, farmers including those engaged in aquaculture must be supported,” he says. “Crop farmers have been receiving seeds and other inputs. In the same way, fish farmers should get fingerlings, which are the primary input for fish production and improving household income.”

Fish farmers in Homa Bay previously benefited from the Aquaculture Business Development Programme (ABDP), a project jointly funded by the Government of Kenya and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD). The programme operates in 15 counties identified as having high aquaculture potential. However, ABDP has recently shifted its focus to supporting fish producers using cages in Lake Victoria, leaving many pond farmers feeling sidelined.

Mr Omondi says the new fingerling donation programme is expected to revive pond-based fish farming. “We are targeting at least 2,400 fish farmers, some of whom have multiple ponds. In total, we expect to stock about 3,000 fish ponds,” he says. Fish stocked this month are expected to mature by December, when farmers can begin harvesting.

According to the Homa Bay County fisheries department, the county produced 39 tonnes of fish from ponds last year. With improved support and adoption of better farming practices, small-scale aquaculture in Homa Bay Kenya could see production rise to at least 100 tonnes this year. Fisheries experts estimate that a well-managed pond can produce at least 100 kilogrammes of fish, allowing farmers to earn up to Sh30,000 per pond during harvest.

Still, the high cost of fish feed remains a major barrier to expansion. To address this challenge, fisheries officers plan to train farmers on feed formulation to help them reduce production costs.

Victory Farms Chief Development Officer Caesar Asiyo says the company hopes the fingerling distribution programme will encourage more households to venture into fish farming. “We are encouraging small-scale fish farming. It is something you can do at the back of your house,” he says. “Fish is highly nutritious and one of the most affordable sources of animal protein. That means there are many reasons for households to keep fish ponds.”

Victory Farms community development officer David Otieno says aquaculture offers a sustainable alternative to declining fish stocks in Lake Victoria. He notes that overreliance on natural fisheries is no longer viable. “Lake Victoria faces many challenges, and fish production from natural waters is not sustainable,” Mr Otieno says. “There must be alternative sources of fish protein, and pond production is one of the most reliable options.”

He urged farmers benefiting from the programme to take advantage of the opportunity to expand production and improve their livelihoods. “We expect beneficiaries to use this opportunity to grow. Let the fish they receive transform their lives,” he says. The success of small-scale aquaculture in Homa Bay Kenya will depend on continued support for farmers, including access to affordable feeds, training on best practices, and protection from climate-related risks like flooding. With the right investments, pond fish farming can become a reliable source of food and income for thousands of households in the region.

Byย George Odiwuor

https://farmerstrend.co.ke/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Small-scale-aquaculture-in-Homa-Bay-Keny.webphttps://farmerstrend.co.ke/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Small-scale-aquaculture-in-Homa-Bay-Keny-150x150.webpFarmersTrend# TrendingSmall-scale aquaculture in Homa Bay Kenya is being positioned as a solution to food security challenges in the region. The rising cost of agricultural inputs is increasingly constraining production among smallholder farmers in Kenya, undermining efforts to strengthen national food security. Many farmers struggle to afford essential inputs such...New Generation Culture in Agriculture