Welcome to the Best Farmer Competition!

Are you the most innovative fish farmer in Kenya? Apply now!

To boost the first professional & practical training platform for aquaculture in Eastern Africa, the Aquaculture Academy, we have set up a competition to look for the most innovative fish farmers out there. You can apply via this page until April 9, and the winner will be chosen and celebrated during the festive opening ceremony on May 7.

Through this competition, titled the Best Farmer Competition, we will connect stakeholders and accelerate knowledge sharing in the aquaculture sector. This Impact Event will launch the opening of the Aquaculture Academy on May 7, 2021. The day centres around inspiration and connection: fish farmers, students, teachers, extension workers, NGO’s, local media, and representatives of private and public institutions get a chance to meet and share ideas. Events such as this are essential for coordination within the value chain and between counties. To reward the most innovative fish farmers and share their inspirational views and actions, the Best Farmer Competition rewards the best fish farmers with free participation in the Aquaculture Academy training program.

Continue reading for awards, agenda, the jury, and more.

Applications closed! You can still complete the course

Free course on Water Quality
Event program

Participants gather at the Kamuthanga fish farm, for a program of workshops, demonstrations, pitches and the Award Ceremony. Participants spend the morning attending a workshop and a tour of the fish farm. After lunch with fish from the fish farm, the Award Ceremony starts. Finalists get a chance to present their innovative ideas and what makes them unique. The jury and audience together vote for the winners, to ensure transparency and honesty for the contestants.

Location

The Impact Event will be hosted at the Kamuthanga fish farm in Machakos county, within a two-hour drive of Nairobi. The event will be hosted outside, due to COVID-19 regulations. In the morning, guests are invited to join a tour around the farm and follow a workshop. Lunch will be served outside as well, with fresh fish from Kamuthanga itself. The Award Ceremony, taking place in the afternoon, is set outside in festive tents. Seats will be placed to ensure social distancing. The audience will be facing the stage, where the presenter and finalists are allowed to present.

Missed our workshop? Watch the recording here:

Awards

We are looking to create ambassadors for the Aquaculture Academy. By entering into this competition, you will receive support and coaching from industry leaders, leading to life-long valuable skills. You are also connected to like-minded innovators contributing to the ecosystem of aquaculture in Eastern Africa.

  • First prize (farmer)

    a) Free training for 3 farmworkers at the Aquaculture Academy.

    b) Free high-quality feed (1,500 kg) and on-site support. This is enough feed to grow 2,000 fingerlings into harvest weight.

    c) AquaCare trial including water quality test kit and on-site trial support.

    d) A consultation session at your farm from our technical professional for tailored advice.

  • Second prize (farmer)

    a) Free training for 2 farmworkers at the Aquaculture Academy.

    b) AquaCare trial including water quality test kit and on-site trial support.

    c) A consultation session at your farm from our technical professional for tailored advice.

  • Third prize (farmer)

    a) Free training for 1 farmworker at the Aquaculture Academy.

    b) A consultation session at your farm from our technical professional for tailored advice.

  • First prize (student)

    Free internship at the Aquaculture Academy for 4-6 months.

Agenda

Application: March 8 - April 9, 2021
Free workshop & complete online course: April 16
Finalists selected: mid-April , 2021
Impact Event & Award Ceremony: May 7, 2021

Introducing our jury

Joel Mugwisa Ssemukaaya

Joel Mugwisa Ssemukaaya

Investment manager at AquaSpark
Racha Saksouk

Racha Saksouk

Area manager at Skretting
John Erick

John Erick

Project manager at Lattice Aqua
Ivo van der Lee

Ivo van der Lee

Technical project manager at Lattice Aqua
Audrey Nyambura

Audrey Nyambura

Farm manager at Nyondia Farm

Partners