Fish fingerlings.
University of Eldoret Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Science students have invented a technology that manipulates the sex of fish fingerlings through variation of water temperature after eggs hatch.
This according to the university will boost productivity after experts recommended that same sex fingerlings grow faster and bigger.
“Before, farmers from this area and its surroundings used to buy fingerlings from Kibos in Kisumu but with this technology we will be able to produce enough fingerlings to serve Uasin Gishu, Nakuru counties and beyond,” said Mr. Josiah Ani, the Fisheries and Aquatic Science department spokesperson.
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He said that fish grew faster and healthier when they were of the same sex in a pond because there would be no disturbance that comes with the breeding activity.
The new innovation is intended to make fish farming more profitable and attractive for the youth who intend to engage in agribusiness.
“Our objective is to serve the farmer with quality fingerlings that they may be able to produce enough fish for food security and help the country achieve vision 2030,” said Ani.
According to the Food and Agriculture Organization, fish consumption in Kenya is a meager 4.5 kilograms per capita per annum against a global nutritive requirement of 10 kilograms per capita per annum.
Kenya’s fisheries and aquaculture sector contributes approximately 0.54 percent to the country’s GDP.
Ani says that the university is ready to partner with like-minded institutions like the county government, research institutions and other universities in this flagship project.