Mapping the Dynamics of Integrated Aqua-Agricultural (IAA) Systems in Kenya: Practices, Participation, and Constraints

Integrated Aqua-Agricultural (IAA) systems represent a promising pathway toward sustainablefood production, particularly in low-income, resource-constrained contexts. This studyconducted a cross-sectional survey of 62 IAA farms across selected counties in Kenya to assessthe demographic characteristics of practitioners, operational dynamics, species integrationpreferences, ownership structures, labor participation, and systemic challenges influencingadoption and management. Results reveal a pronounced gender disparity, with 85.5% of farmsoperated by men, and a dominant participation of individuals aged over 46 years, suggesting IAAis largely a later-life economic activity. Most farms (90.3%) were operational with an averageduration of three years, and a preference for rearing Oreochromis niloticus (tilapia), either as asingle species (45.3%) or in polyculture with Clarias gariepinus (34%). Integration withvegetables and poultry was common, promoting nutrient cycling and income diversification.Ownership was diverse, including private individuals (29%) and government institutions(24.2%), highlighting multi-stakeholder engagement. However, women and vulnerable groupsremain underrepresented in the workforce, echoing structural inequities observed in broaderaquaculture value chains. Key constraints were clustered into four thematic categories: marketaccess, production inputs, technical capacity, and governance. These findings underscore theneed for targeted policy interventions, capacity development, and inclusive value chainintegration to enhance IAA system resilience and scalability in Kenya.