ANNEX 5
DRAFT PROJECT FOR THE TRAINING OF EXTENSION PERSONNEL FOR RURAL FISH FARMING DEVELOPMENT IN THE LAKE BASIN

I. Project Summary

Twenty extension workers, four field coordinators and two executive officers will be selected from the rural population of the Western and Nyanza Provinces, Kenya. They will be trained for six months, both on small-scale fish farming and rural extension. This training will take place in Kisumu (40% theory), in fish culture stations (40% practice), and in the field (20% practice), under the direct supervision of experienced FAO personnel. At the end of the training session, the trainees will be affected to field stations located in the Lake Victoria Basin. They will actively participate in the implementation of the UNDP-assisted project for the “Development of small-scale fish farming in the Lake Basin”.

II. Background and Justification

The Kenya Department of Fisheries has become recently concerned over the failure of fish production to increase as fast as local demand, most particularly in the Lake Victoria Basin, one of the most densely populated areas of Kenya. The Lake Basin Development Authority (LBDA) was established to become responsible for overall planning, coordination and generally implementation of programmes for accelerated rural development and improved food production.

In early 1981, the Government and UNDP planned to provide major assistance to LBDA in establishing a comprehensive fisheries development programme and in implementing particular aspects of it. A UNDP Preparatory Assistance Mission was organized to define more precisely the UNDP inputs required. This mission recommended in May 1982 that immediate assistance be provided for the development of rural small-scale fish farming in the Lake Basin.

Although great efforts have been done in the past by the Government to develop fish farming, particularly in Western Kenya, very little success has been achieved. Only 35% of the ponds recorded in 1973 still exist, which represents today about 3 000 rural ponds, and their average fish production is very low. The major reason for such past failure is the lack of an adequate technical support to this development resulting in bad farm design, bad construction records and bad pond management. Properly trained personnel able to provide this technical support through intensive extension work is now completely lacking.

A UNDP-assisted project will be implemented from October 1983 to December 1986 to rehabilitate the existing 3 000 rural ponds and to further develop fish farming, particularly in the rural communities such as churches and schools. It is expected that this project will result in a seven-fold increase of the present fish production levels in such ponds, greatly improving the protein availability in inland areas where malnutrition now prevails and where land availability constantly decreases due to greater population pressures. The project should also pave the way for similar rural fish farming developments in other regions of Kenya. It should further act as a development catalyst, attracting and coordinating the assistance of various bilateral and multinational aids interested in such achievements.

Available UNDP funds will not be sufficient either in 1983 or in 1984 to additionally finance the training of the extension personnel required to implement the above project and a complementary assistance is planned through the project.

III. Objectives of the Assistance

The objectives of the present assistance will be to organize one training course for 20 extension workers, 4 field coordinators, and 2 executive officers, on small-scale fish farming and rural extension.

IV. Work Plan

The assistance will consist of three distinct phases:

V. Inputs to be provided

1. Expert services: One Fish Farming Extensionist will be responsible for the implementation of the project, in close collaboration with the Government Counterpart Agency. He should have a good experience in the training of extension personnel for the development of rural small-scale fish farming in Africa. He will be assisted by an Associate Expert, with a good theoretical background related to animal husbandry or fish culture.

3. Local travel will be required by the FAO Expert for a maximum time of 60 days, including the close supervision to be exercised during the probationary phase of the project.

VI. Reporting

A short statement will be prepared at the end of the project, indicating the accomplishments.

VII. Government contribution and supporting arrangements

2. Buildings

The Government will provide at least one office for project senior staff and one large room to be used as a classroom during the theoretical training. The existing Government fish culture installations in the Lake Basin will be put at the disposal of the project for the practical training aspects.

3. Equipment/supplies

Two vehicles to assist with the transport of the trainees to the field, for practical training.

Miscellaneous small equipment/supplies for offices and training courses.

4. Miscellaneous

The Government will recruit the trainees and it will supply them with daily subsistence allowances, in accordance with Kenyan Government regulations.

Electricity, water, post and internal telecommunications will be provided by the Government.

Operation/maintenance of the vehicles and motorcycles, including their insurance.

5. Estimated budget (1983)