Influence of Aquaculture Development on Fish Pond Water Quality and Livelihoods of Fish Farmers in Gatundu, Kiambu County
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Date
2019-11
Authors
Theuri, Olive Wairimu
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Kenyatta University
Abstract
A growing fish demand in Kenya, coupled with Government support from the
Government has seen an upsurge in the aquaculture sub-sector. The Government’s
Economic Stimulus Programme (ESP) has been the main boost to Aquaculture
development in the country. Despite the high growth, there is inadequate information on
impact of the growth in aquaculture on water quality and livelihoods. The main objective
of this study therefore was to establish the quality of water in the fish ponds and also
determine whether aquaculture has improved fish farmers’ livelihoods in Gatundu,
Kiambu County. The study was carried out between May 2015 and March 2016.
Physico-chemical parameters were determined in pond and inlet water using standardized
apparatus while nitrates and phosphate levels were determined using standard laboratory
procedures. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect information on the impact
of aquaculture on livelihood of fish farmers in the study area. Data analysis was done
using one-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) to find the significant difference at
p≤0.05. Independent t-test was used to compare means of inlet and pond water while
Student newman keuls test was used to separate the means. Livelihood data was analyzed
using Chi-square to show association of variables in the different locations. Results of
mean physico-chemical parameters of pond water were; Temp; 23.58±3.85°C,
DO; 4.89±1.09mg/L pH; 7.68±0.50, TDS; 493.13±136.67mg/l, EC; 34.63±19.50μScm-1,
N-NO3; 2.76±2.35mg/L, and PO4-; P1.71±1.50mg/L and did not exceed permissible water
quality limits. There was no significant difference among sampled fish ponds and among
fish ponds except in EC. Mean concentrations of measured parameters significantly
increased in pond water as compared to inlet water except for N-NO3. The farmers’
livelihood survey showed aquaculture had improved livelihood of fish farmers through
income, better nutrition and employment. Livelihood improvement was significantly
different between sampling locations. Most farmers had a production cycle of 9-12 months
and only 27% of the farmers had table-size fish by 8 months. 72% of the farmers earned
below Ksh 20,000 (USD 200) in a production cycle. The study concluded that water
quality of pond and inlet water was within acceptable limits and was not an immediate
threat to the ecosystem, however aquaculture practices were significantly influencing the
quality of fish pond water. The study therefore recommended that pond water should not
be disposed directly into water bodies without treatment because of its rich nutrient
content. Regular monitoring of the water quality in fish ponds and good aquaculture
practices were important in ensuring the water quality was maintained within the
acceptable range. Aquaculture as an enterprise had improved farmers’ livelihoods and
should be promoted, however farmers needed training on commercialization and better
management technologies in order to increase fish production and returns.
Description
A Thesis Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of
Master of Environmental Science in the School of Environmental Studies of Kenyatta University, -November 2019
Keywords
Aquaculture Development, Fish Pond, Livelihoods, Fish Farmers, Gatundu, Kiambu County