WISHH sent aquaculture expert Karen Veverica to work with Victory Farms, located on Lake Victoria in Kenya. Victory Farms is the largest fish feed user in Kenya and one of the largest fish farms in East Africa. In Kenya, feed production is insufficient to meet local demand. The farm primarily raises Nile tilapia in cages like the one shown here. Photo Credit: Karen Veverica

WISHH continues to drive demand for soy by supporting the growth of the aquaculture industries in Ghana, Senegal and Kenya. Early this year, WISHH sent technical experts to these African countries to advise on farm management, fish health and feed production. The consultants continue to provide advice remotely as WISHH and its team of aquaculture experts follow COVID-19 travel guidelines.

The aquaculture industry, like the poultry industry in much of sub-Saharan Africa, is restricted in its ability to grow due to high feed costs and poor farm management practices. WISHH is working to address these limitations and build additional markets for U.S. soy.

In Senegal, a consultant is advising one of the largest poultry feed producers on the required investment to introduce a line of fish feeds. The company is motivated by the opportunity to expand its business as the only commercial producer of locally made floating fish feed. Their investment in local feed production could decrease feed costs and dramatically increase fish production.

In Ghana, the consultants continue to focus on addressing critical steps for fish health. The Ghanaian aquaculture industry has struggled since 2015, when early signs of a disease emerged and undermined industry progress. As a result, fish feed manufacturers have reduced their production levels. The WISHH team is working with the industry by supporting the development of a new vaccine and providing technical trainings to farm managers.

In the East African country of Kenya, WISHH is preparing to conduct feeding trials using U.S. soybean meal and is supporting businesses through technical trainings.