Enabling environment for fish farming as an alternative livelihood in Makueni, Kenya

Abstract

The objective of this paper was to determine the costs and returns for fish farming and tomato production in Makueni County, Kenya. The comparison parameters were gross margin, net income, profit cost ratio and benefit cost ratio for three enterprises namely Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus), African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) and tomatoes (Lycopersicon esulentum). The Profit cost ratio of catfish was 0.561 and 0.518 for tomatoes during the second season. The results of benefit cost ratio for catfish and tomatoes enterprises were 1.51 and 1.54 respectively. These ratios are within the recommended profitability parameters. The study provides relevant information on profitability measures that can be used to promote aquaculture as an alternative livelihood in the Arid and Semi- Arid Lands (ASALs).