Aquaculture Risk Survey Lake Victoria, Kenya

This dataset contains survey data on risk perception and risk management strategies among Nile tilapia farmers in Kenya. Data were collected through structured face-to-face interviews with 403 farmers across five riparian counties bordering Lake Victoria: Busia, Siaya, Kisumu, Homa Bay, and Migori. The study was designed through an iterative process that included site visits, consultations with aquaculture stakeholders, focus group discussions, and pilot testing to ensure relevance and clarity of survey items. The final instrument consisted of five sections covering farmer and farm characteristics, perceptions of risk likelihood and impact, historical exposure to shocks and responses, perceived effectiveness of management strategies, and financial losses and costs associated with unmanaged risks. A clustered multistage sampling approach was used to ensure representation across different production systems and scales. Farmers were grouped by production system (cage or pond) and stratified by production intensity (extensive, semi-intensive, or intensive). Weighted random sampling was then applied within each group to create a balanced sample. Data collection was conducted in October/November 2024 using the SurveyCTO platform. The dataset provides detailed insights into both subjective and objective dimensions of risk in aquaculture, offering a robust foundation for understanding farmer decision-making, evaluating management practices, and informing policies to strengthen the resilience of Kenya’s tilapia sector.