Unlocking L. Victoria wealth through modern farming and fishing

STRETCHING along the shores of Lake Victoria, the Lake zone regions are richly endowed with livestock and fisheries resources assets that, in theory, should place the area among the country’s most vibrant economic hubs. Yet for many communities, this natural wealth has yet to translate into improved livelihoods or sustained regional growth.

The promise of prosperity remains largely unrealised, weighed down by the continued reliance on traditional livestock keeping practices and low-productivity fishing methods. These outdated approaches limit yields, reduce incomes and ultimately deny communities the opportunity to rise out of poverty, even as resources remain plentiful all around them.

Frustration over limited jobs and economic prospects has, in some cases, been directed at the government.

However, a closer look reveals a more complex picture one in which missed opportunities, slow adaptation to modern practices and underutilisation of available resources also play a significant role in holding back the region’s full economic potential. Statistics show that the livestock and fisheries sectors continue to grow.

Livestock numbers have increased at satisfactory rates, with cattle rising by 3.4 per cent from 37.9 million to over 39.2 million. Goats have increased by 3.6 per cent from 27.6 million to 28.6 million, while sheep rose by 3.2 per cent from 9.37 million to more than 9.65 million. In the fisheries sector, data from the Directorate of Fisheries indicate that over the four-year period from 2021 to 2024, the number of fishers declined to 102,779, while fishing vessels stood at 31,074. According to the same data, fish production has continued to increase.

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In 2021, a total of 302,827.91 tonnes of fish were harvested with a value of 1.72tri/-. In 2022, production slightly declined to 293,686.55 tonnes, but the value increased to1.97tri/-.

In 2023, production rose again to 320,493.81 tonnes valued at 2.24tri/- while in 2024 it reached a record high of 339,153.73 tonnes valued at 2.36tri/-. This increase demonstrates the existence of significant opportunities that are still not fully exploited by many citizens, but are being facilitated by the government through TADB.

The good news is that the Sixth Phase Government has continued to put in place an enabling environment for citizens to utilise these resources for their personal benefit and for the nation as a whole. The Lake Zone Manager of the Tanzania Agricultural Development Bank (TADB), Mr Alphonce Mokoki, said this while speaking during a two-day seminar for journalists held in Mwanza City.

Mokoki explained that TADB is a state-owned development finance institution established in 2012 under the Companies Act No 2 of 2002, and which began its official operations in 2015 following the introduction of the “Kilimo Kwanza” (Agriculture First) policy.

He stated that the main objective of establishing the bank is to enable farmers, livestock keepers and fishers to move from subsistence activities to commercial agriculture, livestock keeping and fishing, while also ensuring food availability and food security in the country.

“Our vision is to be a leading agricultural development finance institution for transforming agriculture in Tanzania,” he said.

He further explained that TADB’s mission is to stimulate agricultural transformation through innovative financing solutions, develop agricultural value chains in a sustainable and inclusive manner, drive economic growth and reduce poverty among citizens. He noted that the bank’s presence in the Lake Zone regions is a deliberate step to empower citizens to utilise existing livestock, agriculture and fisheries resources.

On achievements, Mr Mokoki said that since its establishment, the bank has disbursed loans worth 631.18bn/- to 151 projects across the country, with Mwanza Region alone receiving 79.14bn/- for 61 projects.

According to him, the bank has also facilitated the revival of four cotton ginneries owned by cooperative unions and provided loans worth 171.58bn/- up to October this year, contributing to an increase in the price of seed cotton from 900/- to 1,500/- per kilogramme.

In the coffee sector, he said 331.63bn/- has been disbursed to improve production, add value and enhance markets, resulting in an increase in the price of parchment coffee from 1,200/- to 5,000/- per kilogramme.

For the rice sub-sector, the bank has provided 55.89bn/- for the expansion of storage infrastructure, acquisition of milling and drying equipment and strengthening the operations of farmers’ groups.

In strengthening the blue economy, Mr Mokoki said TADB has made the Lake Zone a hub for fish farming in the country by financing cage fish farming projects. He said more than 12.4bn/- has been disbursed to 120 groups with 1,904 beneficiaries, the majority being youth and women.

Through the project, the bank has contributed to the availability of quality fingerlings, fish centres, processing facilities and investment in modern ponds. The bank has also financed broiler and layer poultry projects, milk production and disbursed 30bn/- by September this year for value addition in meat and other livestock products among youth and women’s groups.

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Officiating the workshop, Mwanza Regional Commissioner Mr Said Mtanda commended TADB for its role in empowering farmers and urged youth to make full use of the available loan opportunities. He said many young people complain about a lack of opportunities, yet the government has put in place various strategies, including interestfree loans and public procurement opportunities that require awareness and training.

Cage fish farming A Trade Officer at the Tanzania Agricultural Development Bank (TADB), Ms Glacier Marubujo, said the cage fish farming project being implemented in Mwanza, Kagera, Simiyu and Geita regions, valued at 12bn/- has continued to record significant success, thereby improving the incomes of people living along Lake Victoria.

He explained that the project is being implemented through collaboration between TADB and the Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries, with the aim of reaching 1,904 beneficiaries through the distribution of a total of 507 fish cages in areas surrounding Lake Victoria.

The project was officially launched last year by President Dr Samia Suluhu Hassan and targeted fishers who were previously engaged in traditional fishing as well as cage fish farming, with the aim of providing them with sustainable income.

“This project is among the best-performing, especially in Mwanza Region and neighbouring regions around Lake Victoria. All regions have benefited,” he explained.

He explained that the project was implemented in two phases, with the first phase involving the construction of 222 cages, while the second phase distributed 283 cages to beneficiaries.

“These projects were phased in order to avoid production exceeding market demand,” he noted.

So far, a total of 452 cages worth 1.1bn/- have been distributed, while 55 cages valued at 801m/- are yet to be distributed. He said all the cages have been distributed across the respective regions and some groups have already started harvesting fish.

According to Mr Marubujo, a total of 401 tonnes of fish have already been harvested through cage fish farming projects across the Lake Zone. He added that among the best-performing beneficiaries are four groups from Buchosa District Council, in which TADB invested more than 705m/-. These groups consist of three cooperative societies and one group of 15 youth and women.

“In the first harvesting season, these groups have already repaid loans worth 329m/- and so far 296m/- has been disbursed again for investment in the current season,” he explained.

The Chairperson of Itumbiri Village Government, Mr Joel Mbihire, commended President Samia Suluhu Hassan for initiating the project that empowers citizens, particularly youth living along Lake Victoria, by providing them with equipment and financial loans.

He said the village has more than 500 youths and called for an increase in the number of cages, as the current supply does not meet demand. “It is a good way of empowering youth to become self-employed through fish farming and overcome the economic challenges they face,” he said.

A beneficiary of the project, Mr Musirikare Mukinda, a member of Chembaya Cooperative Society Limited with 20 members, said the project has proved highly productive despite starting with capital of 117m/-. He said the harvest results clearly show that cage fish farming is a profitable investment for people living in areas surrounding Lake Victoria.