ACADEMIC TRIP FOR MSc. FISH SCIENCE STUDENTS TO CAVARINO FARM, NAROK COUNTY

Jun

09

2022

0

By enyaga

ACADEMIC TRIP FOR MSc. FISH SCIENCE STUDENTS TO CAVARINO FARM, NAROK COUNTY

a). Summary: Seven MSc. Fish Science students were taken for an academic trip to Cavarino commercial farm, Narok North Sub-county, Narok County on 20th April 2022. Members of staff involved in this trip were:-

Prof. P.N. Nyaga – Worldfish Kenya coordinator
Prof. P.G. Mbuthia
Prof. J.G. Maina - AP
Dr. R.M. Waruiru – Trip coordinator
Ms. E.A. Keya
Mr. E.M. Nyaga

NB: We had a special guest, Dr. Shimaa Ali from Worldfish Egypt.

b). Trip objective: MSc. Fish Science students lack essential knowledge on how to breed, feed, raise fish under different production systems, collect diagnostic/research samples and manage fish diseases. The field trip was organized for the students to receive firsthand information and be able to:-

Explain how biosafety and biosecurity in aquaculture can be used to manage fish

diseases in integrated fish farming

Take and analyze physico-chemical parameters in a pond ecosystem
Demonstrate how to brood fish stock efficiently in a warm area
Outline on-farm production and use of feed and feed ingredients and other value-added

products, and how to minimize pollutants (mycotoxins) and waste products in

aquaculture

Establish research links, gaps and site for MSc. thesis project(s)

c: Trip outcomes

i: The Kabete fish team, Dr. Shimaa and students were taken round the farm (starting with poultry,

piggery, cattle and aquaculture) by the supervisor, Ms. Faridah D. Adhiambo

ii. In the aquaculture department, we visited various sections including the feed production unit,

green house, liner ponds with tilapia and catfish, gutting slab, fish preservation facility and the club

to taste the Cavarino tilapia

iii. The students made brief presentations of their proposed research projects to Dr. Shimaa

iv. Dr. Shimaa outlined objectives of the worldfish project and urged the students to complete and

defend their research proposals in departmental seminars.

d: Conclusions

The following was highlighted:-

That the farm has serious problems (associated with fungal and parasitic infections) with their young catfish stock and should start taking pond water quality parameters on daily basis
That at least two BVM II students should be attached in this integrated commercial farm in future
That one student (Finnan Ageng’o) will undertake his MSc. project at Cavarino and surrounding fish farms in Narok County
That MSc. students will visit Abbassa Worldfish facilities in Egypt for one month in July/August 2022
That UoN academic/technical staff and field fisheries officers should be included in this trip.