Recommendations
- Capacity building for women to help them adapt to change. Training Basic Sea Survival skills such as swimming, as farming might evolve from intertidal to deeper waters.
- Blue economy policy/ coastal mariculture policy and a seaweed sector development strategy needed; participatory approach needed to include views of all stakeholders and protection of the interest of vulnerable groups are protected to guide the development of the sector. Political goodwill was brought out as a critical factor in the development of any policy.
- Redesign the business model; identify champion farmers and use them as a model. Provide technical and material support and monitor production to influence others into joining the sector.
- The need to build partnerships in seaweed farming while promoting synergy among various stakeholders to avoid duplication of efforts,
- Develop seaweed specific policies and seaweed development strategy at both county and national level,
- Marine spatial planning to consider seaweed farming advised by seaweed farming suitability maps,
- Formation of seaweed farmers loose forum, strengthening of cooperatives
- Have seaweed champions selected to work with other farmers in setting target tonnage per farmer
- Protection of gender roles because much of the development is centered on individual farmers, majority being women.
Lessons learnt
- Seaweed farming was given importance in the economy from 2004, but at first only women were involved.
- Perceptions have changed in regard to seaweed farming since it is now highlighted in the Blue Economy agenda.
- C-Weed Corporation Limited Kenya has been supplying inputs in return for better production from the farmers.
- Seaweed farming was formerly targeting women however after the good returns accrued, men have also joined in the venture for income generation.
- Seaweed farmers are eager to utilize modern technology to reach out to a wider market for their seaweed products.
- Many donor funding had been channeled through the groups resulting to overreliance of funding from donors and lack of transparency, this should be addressed to ensure sustainability.
- Some individuals were still skeptical and cautious due to presidential directive that necessitated for social distancing and discouraging of any social gathering. The team therefore observed all the COVID19 pandemic health and safety measure protocols.
- Frequent monitoring and follow up of the sea weed farming is necessary
