Seaweed farming is a widely practiced and promising livelihood activity in many tropical coastal regions, including East Africa and the Western Indian Ocean (WIO). Compared to other forms of aquaculture, it has minimal environmental impact and can be made even better through employment of best management practices. The study was done through conducting of in-class and on the job training and feedback google questionnaire survey at the end of the training. The training course (in class and on the job training) on Seaweed Best Management Practices (BMP) was conducted for two key farming villages (Bati-Mwazaro and Kibuyuni) in the south coast of Kenya, to enable the farmers with the goal of promoting sustainable seaweed farming techniques and adopt new farming methodologies that are compliant with the environment and will increase production.
The training workshop brought together key stakeholders, including farmers (61 %), researchers (6.6%), trades ((16%) and environmentalists (16.4%), to address the best management practices and discuss the benefits of sustainable practices in seaweed cultivation. Participants engaged in practical sessions, gaining hands-on experience in optimal farming techniques, environmental sustainability, and market opportunities. The study realized a number of results in a seven-day training session that included. Training of farmers (23%of males and77 % of females), Training of 16 training of trainers (6% males, 10% females-Mwazaro)/ (8% males,8%), establishment of four demonstration plots i.e. 200 lines (each plot has 50 lines), seaweed farming calendar developed, and participatory mapping of seaweed farms in the villages.
Participant feedback at the end of the training indicated a strong commitment to applying the knowledge gained (92%), fostering a collaborative (95 %) and the significance of the training to address sustainable approach to seaweed farming in the region. Overall, it was evident that combination of class and practical training for farmers could provide more gains for the farmers than any one method done independently.