Factors influencing the adoption of small scale fish farming in Meru Central District-Kenya

Abstract

Since the establishment of economic stimulus programme (E.S.P). The gorverment has spent about Ksh 8 million in fish farming in Meru Central District.(G 0 K 2009) More so many people have adopted fish farming not only as a source of food but also as an income generating activity. This study tried to find out the factors that have made farmers to adopt small scale fish farming especially in region where fish farming did not exist before. The finding from this research will be useful to the Ministry of Fisheries and Ministry of Planning and National Development in assessing the usefulness of Economic Stimulus Programme.

The research of this study was descriptive survey. Data was cross-sectional and quantitative and qualitative data was collected. The study targeted 200 fish farmers within Meru Central District who benefited from E.S.P. Stratified random sampling was used to get fish farmers within the three divisions of Meru Central District. A sample size of 117 was chosen using Burlett, Kotriik and Higgins table of determining return sample size. Data analysis was done using statistic packages of social science (S.P.S.S).The result were presented in form of frequency tables and percentages from which inferences and conclusions were drawn.

The result showed that pond construction technique, pond management, fish species extension services and marketing have influence in adoption of small scale fish farming. The result also reviled that Economic Stimulus Programme had a lot of influence in adoption of small scale fish farming in Meru Central District. The research recommends that farmers need to be liming their ponds to avoid diseases. The Ministry of Fisheries needs to avail more extension services and market information to the small scale fish farmers. Further detailed research need to be done on the role played by the influence of Economic Stimulus Programme on the adoption of the small scale fish farming in Meru Central District and other regions which have benefitted from the same.