Assessment of the Value Chain of Tilapia Fish as Food to the Local Market to Identify Investment Gaps in Lake Turkana, Kenya

Abstract

Lake Turkana Fish production currently averages 8,000 metric tonnes valued at 600 million Kenya Shillings annually accounting 4% of the total fish production from Kenyan waters. Tilapia dominates the catches accounting for between 38%-42% of the volume of fish landed and may reach 80% during “Tilapia boom” seasons. Lack of information on opportunities available at various nodes of the Lake Turkana tilapia fish value chain has made it difficult to make investment decisions. This study assessed the value chain in relation to tilapia as food to the local markets and identify investment gaps. Data was collected through interviews and secondary sources from both market actors and managers using snow-ball sampling technique. 81 respondents wre itnterviwed. Results indicate that tilapia trade ranges from small-scale to medium scale enterprises with a capital outlay of at least Kshs 300 going upwards of Kshs 100,000 and was dominated by women at 79%. More than 70% of the respondents joined the tilapia fish business using money from individual savings and or family support while bank loans and microfinance credit facilities accounted for 10% of investment. The main customers are consumers (69%), retailers (21%), wholesalers (5%) and local processors (5%). Most tilapia was sold fresh (88%), salted-sundried (9%) and dried (3%). The tilapia value chain has the potential to meet local food supply demands, provide employment opportunities and improve local livelihoods. It is proposed that deliberate financial support be considered to support value chain addition to support local consumption, improve profitability and support regulated export of slated sundried tilapia to limit overfishing.