KMFRI partnered with the Northern Rangelands Trust to introduce mud crab farming in Mtagawanda village, Pate Island, Lamu County as an alternative livelihood approach.

A 12-day training program equipped community members with practical skills in mud crab aquaculture. The curriculum covered the biology of the mud crab, site selection for farming, construction of culture systems, seed collection, cage stocking, monitoring, and value addition.

The community constructed infrastructure housing approximately 1,000 crabs in a pen and 160 in eight deployed cages. This initiative aims to generate employment, enhance food security, and reduce pressure on marine fisheries from overfishing.

Dr. Mirera emphasized community-led site selection, stating this approach "will play a major role in replicating more pens and sites to boost crab farming without relying solely on donor funding."

Authors: Dr. David Mirera, Joseline Kendi, Brian Isoe & Chebet Mercy