The general objective of the AQUAEDEVBUS project is to increase the supply of food in Kenya and strengthen communities, both socially and economically, by providing students with a suitable education for developing sustainable aquaculture. Competitive aquaculture companies and successful businesses will provide good foundations to sustainable development in Kenya. Natural populations in Kenyan waters are declining because of overfishing. The aquaculture sector needs to meet the increasing demand for fish and contribute to food security in Kenya. This transition requires considerable development of aquaculture and a workforce capable of doing that. There is a growing interest in aquaculture in Kenya.
The AQUADEVBUS project will align the educational sector to meet these challenges in the future – not only in Kenya but in other Eastern African countries as well.
The AQUADEVBUS project will introduce new approaches to aquaculture education in Kenya and stimulate the development of the existing educational system that will pave the way to contribute to the growth of aquaculture with other initiatives such as national or regional funding defined in national strategies.
As described in the needs analysis above, the project will contribute to increased food security. Aquaculture development contributes to many of the 17 sustainable development goals (SDG) set by the United Nations. The successful development of aquaculture, and especially integrated aquaculture, depends on the promotion of aquaculture as a viable investment opportunity. Investing in aquaculture education will facilitate this process. The project will contribute to at least nine SDGs, just to mention here SDG 11 (life below water), SDG 12 (responsible production and consumption), SDG4 (quality education), SDG 11 (sustainable communities) and SDG 2 (zero hunger).