Mapping the Value Chain for Farmed Fish and Gender Analysis ... 912. MATERIALS AND METHODS
The study was carried out in Nyanza region, Kenya, comprising Kisumu,
Bondo, Nyando, Rachuonyo, Homa-Bay, Suba, Kisii central and Migori
Counties (Figure 1) between March-July 2012. The samples were selected
purposively to focus entirely on the value chain arising from pond farm
production as it accounts for around 85% of the total aquaculture production in
Kenya. Individual interviews and focus group discussions with hatchery
operators, grow out fish farmers and traders/retailers were used to collect
quantitative and qualitative information. The focus group discussions provided
a basis for the analysis of qualitative data (Humphrey, 2005). A total of 524
respondents (139 males and 385 females) were interviewed. Data collected
from the field was entered and analyzed statistically using the Statistical
Package for the Social Sciences (IBM - SPSS Inc., version 20.0). Descriptive
analysis was done by use of means, standard deviation, percentages and
frequency distribution of responses. Inferential statistics was done using Chi-
square (χ^2 ) test of goodness of fit. All data analyzed were considered
significant at 0.05 level of significance.
3. RESULTS
Aquaculture Value Chain
The survey indicated that the value chain for farmed fish in Kenya is
comprised of three main stakeholders (Hatchery operators, Grow-out fish
farmers, traders/retailers) before fish reaches the consumer, as presented in
Figure 2 below. There is insignificant value addition of farmed fish and
virtually no export of farmed fish. Notably, there are no distinct value chains
for different species in Nyanza region.
Stakeholder Characteristic by Gender
Table 1 summarizes the socio-demographic characteristics of respondents
in the AVC in the study area. The survey noted that there was a slightly higher
proportion of female respondents (62%; n = 524) in the study area as
compared to males (38%; n = 524). Age distribution ranged from 18-60 years,