Stakeholders Chart Path to Lower Fish Feed Costs, Boost Jobs in Aquaculture Sector
NAIROBI, Kenya, September 4, 2025 – The Agriculture Sector Network (ASNET), in partnership with industry players, on Thursday convened a high-level roundtable on fish feed production, bringing together stakeholders from across the fish supply chain to deliberate on strategies to reduce feed costs, strengthen competitiveness, and expand job opportunities in Kenya’s aquaculture sector.
Speaking at the forum, Agather Thuo, Chief Executive Officer of ASNET, underscored the importance of collective action to make fish feeds more affordable and accessible.
“The cost of feed remains extremely high, making the sector less competitive. Through this roundtable, we are working together to explore solutions that will bring down feed costs and empower smallholder farmers, women, and youth across the fish value chain,” she said.
Thuo emphasized that aquaculture holds untapped potential for food security and trade, both locally and regionally, but policy gaps and rising input costs must be addressed to unlock growth.
Youth and Women at the Core of Growth
Highlighting the role of young people and women in fish farming, Thuo noted that the private sector is deliberately creating spaces for their participation.
“Job creation for youth is a top priority. We have engaged young innovators in this forum to share their ideas so that others can learn and launch their own enterprises. With mentorship and capacity building, youth can seize opportunities in aquaculture,” she added.
County Governments as Key Drivers
Thuo further revealed that ASNET, in partnership with the Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA), is strengthening collaborations with county governments to ensure solutions discussed in Nairobi are implemented at the grassroots, where small-scale farmers operate.
Regional Trade and Policy Support
Adding her voice, Anataria Umamariya, Director of Business Competitiveness at Trademark Africa, said the initiative is supported by the MasterCard Foundation in partnership with the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat.
“Our aim is to enhance the participation of women and youth in fisheries by unlocking trade opportunities across Africa. By addressing bottlenecks and supporting innovation, we are preparing young people to benefit from regional integration and AfCFTA markets,” Umamariya said.
She stressed that government involvement is essential in creating an enabling policy environment and ensuring food security through reliable fish supply.
Driving Change Through Innovation
On the role of innovation, Umamariya noted that policy frameworks must promote research and technology that can lower production costs and improve efficiency in aquaculture.
Joe Maye, Director at Lattice, an advisory firm working with ASNET and Trademark Africa, highlighted the potential of aquaculture to generate employment if feed costs are reduced.
“Fish farming, which accounts for only 20 percent of fish production, supports more than 70,000 jobs, compared to 69,000 jobs in wild capture fisheries that contribute 55 percent of the catch. Making affordable, quality fish feeds available will boost productivity and create jobs, especially for youth and women,” Maye said.
He pointed to challenges such as reliance on imported soy and additives, limited laboratory testing facilities outside Nairobi, and poor farmer practices, stressing the need for cross-border trade facilitation and farmer training to overcome these barriers.
The Way Forward
The roundtable concluded with a call for increased local production of protein sources for feeds, expanded regional trade, and capacity-building initiatives targeting smallholder farmers. Stakeholders agreed that addressing feed affordability is key to strengthening Kenya’s aquaculture sector, ensuring food security, and creating sustainable jobs.
By Sharon Atieno
