How Aquarech is Digitizing Aquaculture for Women Farmers in Kenya

The Innovation: Aquarech’s Digital Platform and Smart Feed Ecosystem

Aquarech’s model integrates:

• High-quality fish feed sourced from trusted suppliers
• Remote sensing technology to monitor fish growth and optimize feeding
• A mobile app and USSD platform for farmers and traders to access feed, fish, and production data
• Contractual cage farming and lease-to-own models to empower women farmers

By digitizing procurement and trade, Aquarech is eliminating FFS practices and enabling dignified, secure access to fish for women traders.

The Impact: Scaling Climate-Smart and Gender-Inclusive Aquaculture

• 3,058 farmers engaged, including 663 women
• 60% of feed buyers are women, up from 5% at baseline
• 997 traders onboarded, 764 of whom are women
• USD 1.7 million raised from AquaSpark, Acumen, Katapult, and Mercy Corps Ventures
• 20% increase in women’s feed purchases
• Contracted 5 women farmer groups, with plans to scale to 30

Aquarech’s remote sensors reduce feed waste and pond siltation, while its app ensures transparency and traceability across the value chain.

Looking Ahead: Scaling Inclusive Aquaculture Across Africa

Aquarech is expanding its Fish Deli B2C model, offering fresh and air-fried fish via doorstep delivery. It plans to:

• Scale its contractual cage farming and franchise model
• Deploy 100+ remote sensors for precision feeding
• Launch financial services via its app in partnership with local banks

By integrating women into every stage of the aquaculture value chain—from feed to trade—Aquarech is not just building a business. It’s building a movement.