Evaluating strategic missteps and production gaps in Kenya’s seaweed sector

To enhance the blue economy and secure alternative coastal livelihoods, the seaweed mariculture sector has been heavily supported by both government and non government actors. Consequently, since 2010, seaweed commercialization in Kenya has grown mainly propelled by the global high market demand, scientific guidance and the presence of a willing farming community. Despite the given support, the sector has failed to scale production to self-sustaining commercial export levels or develop an entire seaweed industry as envisaged. In order to understand the status and challenges faced by this sector, the study utilized a mixed-methods approach. A 16 years dry seaweed production and sales data and value-added product sales revenue data from Kibuyuni was analyzed to understand the status of seaweed farming in the south Coast of Kenya. Further, a phone survey data from 45 farmers representing 20 community-led groups was conducted to further give an insight of the status and challenges faced by the seaweed farmers. The synthesis reveals that first:, seaweed output failed to meet critical target tonnage thereby not being able to economically support a viable seaweed industry. Secondly, despite training from different stakeholders, farming groups are not able to utilize the knowledge acquired from the numerous training. Third, extensive duplication of effort by uncoordinated development agencies overwhelms and fatigues communities thus actively distracting farmers and leading them to chronic donor dependency. These findings challenge historical stakeholder methodologies that foster community reliance rather than true operational capacity. We hope to initiate a discussion on the need of a unified strategy that eliminates institutional duplication and ensure a robust policy in seaweed development.