One of the keys to develop a sustainable fish farming activity in Africa is to impart, to as large a number of farmers as possible, sufficient knowledge on fish farming that they can continue on their own without the close support of an extension service. This study demonstrates that the field day approach can effectively give fairly detailed information to large numbers of farmers in a timely and cost effective way. The field days also work as a catalyst, the increase in the number of farmers beginning fish farming and the 30% rate of farmers expanding their ponds is very positive.
The field day approach to fish farming development appears to be a viable alternative to the training and visit approach, particularly in Western Kenya. it is particularly effective because of the high population density and favorable geographical and climatic conditions. It may not be feasible in areas where the density is lower and farms are further apart.
The frequency of field days during the study was too rapid, it would be better to hold one field day per month in each area. This would allow better communication of the time and venue of each day, and the attendance should improve.
Different areas have different requirements, and field days should be tailored to those specific needs. For example in Funyola, most of the farmers are well advanced and already practice polyculture with Tilapia and Clarias. Their needs and interests are different than those of Bonjore, where the majority are just now beginning fish farming.
Farmers frequently requested that a document in both English and Kiswahili be given during the field days summarizing the topic. This should be done as it would leave material for future reference.
In the areas of the study, the farmers attending the field days spontaneously formed one or more loose associations, if carefully nurtured, these associations can evolve into cooperatives or similar organizations, which can further help develop 1ish farming.
The existing LBDA extension staff can easily expand the field day programme to encompass other areas, A team of two extension officers can conduct 2 to 3 field days a week, each in a different area with a similar 15 km radius, The same officers could then cover a far wider zone.
As a final note, any such training activity may have unintended consequences, and the above effort was not immune. In Yala, the person conducting the field day on compost cribs had simply taken the nearest available wooden stick to demonstrate how to stir the compost. Breaking off the small branches, he was left with a stick of about 1,8 m with a rough fork at the end. During the impact survey, the team noted that all of the 50 odd ponds visited were equipped with a 1.8 m forked stick, nearly identical to the one chosen haphazardly during the field day. Only on one occasion was such a stick absent. This farmer was then asked what he used to stir the compost. He explained that he could not keep a wooden stick at the pond site as it would be removed for firewood, but promptly ran home and returned with yet another forked stick, 1.8 m in length.
In this case, the unintended result of all farmers using a uniform tool to stir their compost is harmless, but this antidote demonstrates two important points. Farmers pay attention, even to the smallest details. Secondly, what was taught in one field day was quickly spread throughout the farming community.
