New app links sardine fishers directly to feed market buyers in Kenya

KENYA – Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT), in partnership with the European Union’s Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA), is launching Kenya’s first mobile trading platform geared explicitly towards sardine (omena) fishers. 

This new app seeks to provide direct access for fishers in Lake Victoria’s omena industry to the feed market, potentially transforming how feed-grade omena is sourced.

The pilot initiative will begin with two Beach Management Units (BMUs) from Marenga and Dunga beaches in Busia and Kisumu counties. 

These units include networks of fishers, women processors, and boat owners working in tandem to sell omena collectively.

Nelson Ojijo, a food technology expert and associate professor at JKUAT, said the platform eliminates intermediaries by connecting directly with buyers, allowing omena producers to receive higher product margins.

The app, tentatively named The Omena Trading App, is expected to launch in late November. It enables BMUs, independent fishers, and processors to connect with buyers from the feed industry. 

By removing the need for brokers, the platform is poised to support more consistent pricing and boost fisher income, which could be tripled as a result. 

Omena is vital to Kenya’s animal feed sector, with approximately two-thirds of omena harvested going into feed production, primarily as a protein and calcium source for poultry and pig diets. 

Its inclusion in feed formulations enhances growth rates, egg production, and overall animal health, making omena a sought-after ingredient in livestock and aquaculture feed.

The omena industry, valued at around Sh25.8 million (US$200,000), constitutes a substantial part of the Lake Victoria fishery’s total value.

This highlights the species’ economic significance, particularly in Kenya and Uganda, where it plays a crucial role in supporting the feed sector’s protein needs.

Market data from the Kenya Agricultural Market Information System (KAMIS) reveals significant variation in omena prices. 

While fishers currently earn Sh20 to Sh30 (US$0.16–US$0.23) per kilogram, wholesale rates can surge depending on location, especially in feed-supply regions with high demand for omena as a primary ingredient. 

Wholesale prices recently peaked at Sh1,125 (US$8.72) per kilogram in Bungoma’s Kamukuywa market, underscoring the need for stable and direct sourcing methods that the app aims to address.

This direct-to-buyer platform stands to benefit both the animal feed and aquaculture sectors by securing a reliable, sustainable supply of omena, potentially enhancing feed quality and price stability in Kenya’s animal nutrition market.

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