ISSN 2348-1218 (print) International Journal of Interdisciplinary Research and Innovations ISSN 2348-1226 (online) Vol. 8, Issue 4, pp: (1-9), Month: October - December 2020, Available at: www.researchpublish.com
Physicochemical Proprieties of Pond Water in the Economic Stimulus Programme (ESP) Fish Ponds in Tharaka-Nithi County, Kenya David Ithigi Kibaara1, Adiel Micheni Magana1, Eunice Wmamu Githae1, Ochieng Ombaka2 1
Department of Biological Sciences 2
Department of Physical Sciences
Chuka University, Chuka, Kenya
Abstract: In an effort to attain food security, Kenya has embraced aquaculture as one of its strategies. From 2009, the Government established thousands of fish ponds through the Economic Stimulus Programme (ESP). TharakaNithi County was one of the places covered by the ESP and has 95% of its total ponds under the programme, stocked with the Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). Physicochemical properties of water influence overall pond productivity and fish yields. The ponds in Tharaka-Nithi County have suffered low production, the average production remaining at <30% of potential, with reports of stunting and frequent fish mortalities. This study aimed to investigate the physicochemical properties of the pond water in the county. Using the randomized complete block design (RCBD), the study area was divided into three zones whereby 27 fish ponds were studied. Chemical analysis was done according to the APHA Standard Methods and data analyzed using the one-way ANOVA. The Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) Version 22.0 was used for correlations and regression analyses. Significant differences (p ˂ 0.05) were found in water temperature, dissolved oxygen, transparency, pH and conductivity among ponds in the three zones. Water temperatures, ammonia and PO4-P concentrations were outside the recommended range for optimum O. niloticus growth. Occasionally, DO and pH were outside those suitable for optimum tilapia growth, which could explain the frequent fish deaths and low aquaculture production. Regular monitoring of physicochemical parameters is recommended. These findings will be used by relevant government agencies and fish farmers to enhance fish production. Keywords: Physicochemical properties; Aquaculture; Fish ponds; ESP.
I. INTRODUCTION It is the goal of every country to attain food security in order to realize socioeconomic development. Food security is defined as the state where there is enough food for all people [1]. Kenya is a developing country that is still striving to overcome food insecurity [2] where 24% of its people are undernourished while 26% of the children below the age of 5 years experience stunted growth [3]. Technically, food security should not be considered only in terms of the quantity of the food eaten but of its quality as well, supplying adequate nutrients such as proteins and a variety of micronutrients [5], [6]. In 2009 the Government of Kenya launched countrywide campaigns to promote fish farming. These campaigns saw the total fish pond area increase by more than a hundred percent, with the Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) as the main species constituting 75% of the total fish cultured [2]. By 2013, the government had established more than 3,000 fish ponds throughout the country under the Economic Stimulus Programme (ESP). The campaign was driven by the need to step up food security by increasing production of fish, which has been recognized as an important source of affordable
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