Effect of Management Skills on Performance of Economic Stimulus Program Financed Aquaculture Farms Kisumu West Constituency, Kenya

Abstract

In the endeavour to stimulate the Kenyan Economy after the post-election violence in 2008, the Economic Stimulus Program (ESP) was developed so as to jumpstart the economy. Commercialization of aquaculture farming was one of the key objectives supported through construction and stocking of 200 fish ponds per constituency in 140 constituencies. Despite this effort, there has been a declining trend in production from aquaculture farms in Kenya. This study sought to establish if there exists a relationship between decline in performance in aquaculture and farmers’ acquisition of technical management skills. A population of 417 farmers was used for the study from which a sample of 389 was derived. The researchers collected data from the field by use of questionnaires, key informant interviews, and observation. The study established that
capacity building and training on technical management skills were not done by extension officers during the project implementation leading to a high dropout rate of farmers and decline in performance of the farms. The
study recommends establishment of regional based aquaculture producer organizations which integrates training and marketing infrastructure for the farmers.