| dc.description.abstract | Aquaculture has been identified by the government of Kenya as an important source of fish in order to address the dwindling stock in capture fisheries. The ministry of fisheries development has come up with Fish Farming Enterprise productivity project that aims at promoting fish farming throughout the country as a mitigation measure in the improvement of the livelihood of farmers, even in nontraditional fish consuming areas.
The study was guided by the following objectives; To establish the information, education and communication strategies used in promoting fish farming in the constituency, to determine whether the aquaculture information disseminated is appropriate to the farmers, to ascertain whether there are adequate materials for aquaculture information, to establish challenges experienced by farmers in accessing aquaculture information and in utilizing aquaculture information.
Since the constituency has a homogenous population, the researcher used random sampling method upon clusters of six locations that comprise the constituency. Ten farmers were targeted from the three locations that were selected. A closed and semi structured questionnaire was administered directly to 27 farmers. Another questionnaire was administered to the two MOFD fisheries extension officers serving in the constituency. Data collected was analyzed using descriptive statics in Statistical Packages, in Social Sciences (SPSS version 16).
The study established that there was a need for aquaculture information, education and communication materials in order to improve extension services in the area. Extension officers and private sector players should avail information preferably in the language of the catchment area, which is Kikuyu for them to be effective. | en_US |
