On 16th August 2018, partner JKUAT (Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Kenya) conducted our first information session in Africa. The event took place in the SAJOREC conference room of JKUAT in Nairobi. The 15 participants could learn more about the issues VicInAqua is addressing and the technologies it offers, in particular for wastewater treatment such as MBR (membrane bio-reactor).
After lunch break, the participants had the opportunity to join a study visit of Makindi Fish Farm in Murang'a County, starting at 2pm EAT. The farm is 52km from Nairobi, 7km from Thika Town on the old Murang'a road behind Thika Greens Golf Resort. The farm was established in 2015 as an agricultural division of Makindi Banks Limited. Currently the farm has a total of 91 ponds; 35 tilapia production ponds, 28 catfish concrete tanks, 17 nursery ponds, 6 broodstock ponds, 4 harvest ponds and one water reservoir. In addition to this, the farm has a modern processing room and a Reciruclating Aquaculture System (RAS) hatchery and a modern training resource center under construction. The farm specializes in the production of table size tilapia (350 - 800g) and catfish (1kg - 1.5kgs) as well as production of YY monosex tilapia fingerlings and a quality catfish fingerlings.
The VicInAqua Information Sessions in Africa mainly address the local population to raise awareness on the environmental impact of improved sanitation, aquaculture and fisheries in form of comprehensive information campaigns. The VicInAqua Study Visits showcase outstanding and novel RAS (Recirculating Aquaculture Systems) and wastewater treatment plants in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda. They address more specifically aquaculture operators, researchers and further stakeholders in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda to boost community building and best-practice sharing in the fields.
