© ASC
According to ASC, this marks a major step forward for responsible seafood farming on the continent. Victory Farms covers 50 hectares of tilapia farming in western Kenya's Homa Bay, in the Nyanza region, producing 18,000 tonnes of tilapia annually. The farm operates a vertically integrated model, overseeing the entire value chain from hatchery to table.
The Improver Programme by ASC supports farms committed to improving their farming practices to become more responsible. By joining the programme, Victory Farms underscores its dedication to responsible farming and environmental stewardship.
“This is a landmark achievement not just for Victory Farms, but for Africa’s seafood farming sector as a whole. We are thrilled to support Victory Farms as they choose change and raise the bar for tilapia farming in the region,” said Roy van Daatselaar, head of Improver Programme at ASC, in a press release.
The AIP will involve close collaboration with ASC to identify areas for improvement, implement best practices and monitor progress over time. This effort paves the way for Victory Farms to enhance key areas such as animal welfare and the responsible use of feed, while also serving as a blueprint for other aquaculture producers in Africa to follow.
”We're eager to ensure our standards are world-class and traceable for all our consumers. Joining the AIP is an excellent opportunity to strengthen this rigour and reporting in our operations,” said Victory Farms’ group aquaculture excellence manager, Nsogbu Wadike.
The ASC Improver Programme supports fish farms that are not yet ASC certified but are committed to better practices through AIPs. It helps drive measurable improvements across the sector. In addition to Kenya, there are 17 active AIPs, including one in Ecuador, Bangladesh, two in Indonesia and 12 in Thailand. The full list can be found on the ASC website.