A new tilapia strain has been introduced in Kenya, local news reported. Developed by Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute (KMFRI) and Kenya Agriculture Livestock Institute (Kalro), tilapia F8 has a fast growth rate, matures faster and is resistant to fungal and viral diseases.

KMFRI Sagana center director, Domitilla Kyule, said that they have been working for several years on the selective breeding program and that this is the 8th generation. The country aims to reduce the dependence on China-imported tilapia and increase local production. The F8 generation has been validated on-farm level and distributed to farmers in over 20 counties.