Factors Influencing Value Addition among Fish Traders in Mombasa County

Abstract

Although there exist enormous benefits that can be linked to value addition, many fish traders in Mombasa County still sell unprocessed fish and fish products. The resultant losses are due to spoilage attributable to perishability of fish and losses of additional income for lack of processing. The study was on factors influencing value addition among fish traders in Mombasa County. The specific objectives were: to determine the influence of infrastructure on fish value addition, to establish the influence of manpower on fish value addition, to determine influence of government policy on fish value addition, to determine the influence of training on fish value addition in Mombasa County. The research employed a descriptive research design and a census methodology. The target population was 76 registered fish traders involved in fish business. Structured and semi-structured questionnaires were employed. Quantitative and qualitatively analysis using frequency table proportions (percentage) was used to interpret the data, inferential statistics was used to analyze the data. The study established that the infrastructure (𝛽=.376. p<.001) and government policies (𝛽=.265, p<.001) have significant causal effect on fish value addition in Mombasa County. It was concluded that support towards enhancement of infrastructure is necessary if value addition is to be uplifted. The County government is an important player in ensuring that trade policies are pro- business and especially towards ensuring that they work for up scaling of fish value addition. The study recommends that state and non-state actors should come in through infrastructural development to assist fish traders to embrace and enhance uptake of fish value addition. Government agencies should re-look at the existing policies, guidelines and regulation relating to fisheries industry to ensure they are pro-value addition. Fish traders should increase their internal capabilities by adopting modern technologies and equipment to enhance fish value addition activities