Using IMTA technology to empower women in Kenya’s coast
The IMTA technology involves building special cages along pre-identified areas of the ocean which will allow women to cultivate seaweed and also rear fish in the same system.
Anew integrated agricultural technology is set to positively shift the economic dynamics of women in Kenya’s coastal region by enabling them to sustainably and optimally exploit marine resources.
In this set-up, species with mutual and interdependent benefits are farmed together, which provides resilience against failure of one agro-produce. In this case, rabbitfish - which is highly coveted in the region - is farmed together with seaweed in an integrated and mutually beneficial production system. The IMTA technology involves building special cages along pre-identified areas of the ocean which will allow women to cultivate seaweed and also rear fish in the same system.
Under the umbrella of the Blue Empowerment project, funded by the International Centre for Research and Development (IDRC), the initiative is being implemented by scientists drawn from ACTS, Kenya Marine Fisheries Research Institute (KMFRI), Kenya Industrial Research Development Institute (KIRDI) and Kenyatta University. The scientists are working closely with local organisations - Bahari Community Based Organization (CBO) and Seaweed Corporation, a private organisation involved in the production of seaweed.
“Women continue to have limited access to ocean resources because they feel insecure at sea, lack the skills and capital to invest in fishing vessels and post-harvest handling facilities and suffer social pressure and discrimination from the hierarchical power dynamics in their communities.”
Dr. Joel Onyango, ACTS
“This technology is meant to empower women in light of the Covid-19 challenges and also to address barriers of development of women in the coast region especially as it appertains to access to ocean resources.”
Dr. Linus Kosambo, KIRDI
“If we can be supported to get a good and reliable market, we can make much more money and the women will support their families in a better way and transform our community. We are happy because of this project will improve our production and marketing.”
Fatuma Usi, Bahari CBO
“Apart from making money from the fish and seaweed, women will also be supported to add value to seaweed and earn more money from the crop. At the same time, the economic fortunes of women in the coast region will improve significantly as they get directly involved in the production system of marine resources.”
Dr Caroline Wanjiru,KenyattaUniversity
“Women are marginalised in harnessing marine resources and this initiative gives them an opportunity to improve their lives and those of their families. It will enable women to earn more money especially from rabbitfish, which is a coveted fish in the coast region.”
Morine Mukami, KMFRI
“We expect the Blue Empowerment project to uplift the financial standards of the community and place Kenya on the map of ledaing seaweed producers in Africa. And with the IMTA model, we are not only producing seaweed but also putting food on the table.”
