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Post-harvest interventions in small-scale fisheries: a boon or bane to food and nutritional security in Kenya?

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Abstract

Small-scale fisheries in Kenya contribute about 4.7% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in spite of high post-harvest losses. Post-harvest interventions in fisheries enable fishers and fish processors to reduce waste, maintain nutritional aspects and meet stringent demands in food quality and safety. This review highlights the benefits and pitfalls of various fish post-harvest management interventions in order to drive policy dialogue and formulation of a regulatory framework for future interventions. It relies on data obtained from the Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute and the State Department of Fisheries and Blue Economy. Results depict abundant interventions in both handling and processing, but low utilization (<40% of installed cold rooms, dryers and smoking kilns) and multiplication by fishing communities. Fish products that target export markets have well-organized structures. However, a weak regulatory framework is a key constraint in addressing post-harvest management of fish intended for the domestic market. Under-utilization of installed interventions results in continued waste of fish, contributing to food and nutritional insecurity. This review recommends the development of an effective and integrative policy framework that involves interactions across different domains, institutional mechanisms that monitor and address those interactions, analytical bases for decision making, and multi-stakeholder dialogue for post-harvest management. Such policies will enhance the adoption of post-harvest technology in small-scale fisheries in Kenya and elsewhere.

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Acknowledgements

We acknowledge the literature search support provided by the Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute (KMFRI) and the State Department of Fisheries and Blue Economy (SDF and BE).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute, Baringo Station, P.O. Box 31-30406, Kampi Ya Samaki, Kenya

    Cyprian O. Odoli, Nyakeya Kobingi & James Mugo

  2. Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute, Kisumu Center, P.O. Box 1881-40100, Kisumu, Kenya

    Horace Owiti, Zachary Ogari, Chrisphine Nyamweya & Christopher M. Aura

  3. Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute, Turkana Station, P.O. Box 205-30500, Lodwar, Kenya

    Maurice Obiero

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  1. Cyprian O. Odoli
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Correspondence to Cyprian O. Odoli.

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Odoli, C.O., Owiti, H., Kobingi, N. et al. Post-harvest interventions in small-scale fisheries: a boon or bane to food and nutritional security in Kenya?. Food Sec. 11, 855–868 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12571-019-00950-x

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