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Boost for cage fish farming in Rural Musoma

The Busumi Fishing Cooperative Society has secured an interest-free 117m/- loan from the government for cage fishing in Lake Victoria

MUSOMA: The Busumi Fishing Cooperative Society has secured an interest-free 117m/- loan from the government for cage fishing in Lake Victoria in its continued efforts to develop the fisheries sector in the country.

The cooperative, which consists of 20 members, will use the money to acquire four (4) cages, fish fry, feed, and insurance for their fish farming.

“Cage farming experts have completed their work, and yesterday the cages were placed in the water (Lake Victoria) in the Suguti village area,” a Member of Parliament for Musoma Rural, Prof Sospeter Muhongo told the Daily News.

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Prof Muhongo said Musoma Rural District is successful implementing cage fishing projects in the villages of Kigera, Bwai Kwitururu, and Suguti.

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‘Fishermen from other areas are also very motivated and are preparing to submit loan applications to the government for cage fishin,” he added.

“The fishermen of Musoma Rural express their deep gratitude to our government under the excellent leadership of President Dr Samia Suluhu Hassan for providing them with favorable interest-free loans and for modernizing their fishing practices to achieve higher incomes,” the Musoma Rural MP stated.

While fish farming operations in Tanzania started in the 1950s, its growth was slow until the 1980s due to poor farming methods and technology.

However, the fish farming industry has gained in popularity in recent years, with government’s deliberate interventions to promote the sector.

Earlier this year, President Samia emphasized her government’s commitment to enhance the country’s fisheries sector to enhance its contribution to the national income.

Dr Samia outlined among key initiatives that will taken by the government including the acquisition of vessels for deep-sea fishing and the introduction of cage fish farming across major lakes.

President Samia stressed the importance of formalizing jobs in the fishing sector, particularly for young people and women engaged in informal employment.