FISH FARMERS TRAINING PROGRAM

ROTARY CLUBS OF WHITEHORSE, YUKON; CALGARY, ALBERTA, CANADA and KAKAMEGA, KENYA

MARCH SUMMARY REPORT

HIGHLIGHTS

· Trained 25 farmers;

· Visited 21 ponds from farmers who were trained during the January training period. We assessed each pond and provided important and needed feedback on their improvements and proper construction;

· Visited 18 new farmers to confirm they are indeed farmers and interested in training; and

· Began distributing feed, pipes and other equipment to farmers.

March was another busy month. The first week of March was an opportunity for trainers to visit with farmers that had been trained in the previous months. Continued support and encouragement is what is needed most and showing farmers that they are doing a great job on their pond construction is so very important for their continued success and continuation in the field of fish farming. The second week included a 3 day holiday for trainers. Then beginning on the 10th all farmers that were to be trained in the last three weeks of the month was visited. That meant going out to their farms and assessing what construction they had done to date and ensuring that they were indeed interested and dedicated fish farmers. Then back into the classroom on the 14th of March to welcome a new group of fish farmers.

The following are farmer names and the week they attended, a summary of all the Challenges and Successes and a summary of the evaluation of the training week.

Week 6 – March 14th – 17th, 2011

Beldina Wabuko

Ibrahim Isambo

Philip Mutachi

Peter Andati

Christine Mukhonji

James Mwinjiro

Resper Eshiboko

Stephen Namale

Week 7 – March 21st – 24th, 2011

Dennis Injene

Peter Malika

Vincent Omukokho

Bonface Kwaye

Hellen Wanguba

Esther Shitambasi

Jacinta Okumu

Rosalia Mukhwana

Henrietta Khagusia

Week 8 – March 28th – 31st, 2011

Margret Shitichi

Grace Meta

Luke Majoni

Beatrice Mushubwa

Piyesi Khataley

Grace Aseyo

Rose Ahono

Wilson Rasha

Successes:

· I have managed to get over 5000 KS for my first harvest and 1500 KS for my second harvest a month later

· I now know I can be successful as I have been getting enough money to purchase needed items for my family

· From fish sales I can pay school fees

· My family can obtain protein

· I can buy food for my children and even feed them the fish from my pond

· I have created employment for youth in my community helping me expand my fish pond

· From the construction of the hatchery I have received 35,000 KS and 18,000 KS from the sale of the fingerlings

Challenges

· Expanding my fish pond is very difficult for me because I do not know how to do it

· Getting good quality fingerlings are a challenge for me

· I cannot find good quality fish food

· I do not know how to control predators

· Lack of feed for my fish

· Lack of knowledge has been a big problem

· My fish are not growing and are so small

· I do not have the necessary materials

· What do I do if my fish have a disease

· Flooding of my pond due to poor construction and heavy rains

· Lack of water during drought conditions

· No market and poor local transportation

Summary of Farmers Evaluation Forms

Each farmer filled out an evaluation form after their training. Comments included the following:

· All the topics were covered well and explained good

· Can I come again

· It should be 2 weeks long

· Would be nice to have a practical day where we go out and construct a pond

· Thank you for this program. Please can more farmers come and learn?

· Excellent organizing of all the topics