FZS concludes training for Community Conservation Bank groups in Bariadi District

SIMIYU: Sixty leaders from 30 groups of the Community Conservation Bank (COCOBA) in Bariadi district, Simiyu region, have completed a five-day training conducted by the Frankfurt Zoological Society (FZS).

The training was held under the Second Phase of the Serengeti Ecosystem Development and Conservation Project, which aims to preserve the ecosystem for the benefit of present and future generations.

The project is funded by the government of Germany through the KfWBank and carried out by FZS in collaboration with the Tanzania National Parks (TANAPA) in Tarime and Bunda districts in Mara region and Bariadi district in Simiyu region, all bordering the western part of the Serengeti National Park.

Leaders who attended the training include secretaries and assistant secretaries from each group. It was officially closed on Wednesday by a senior conservationist, Mr Abed Mwesigwa, from the Serengeti National Park.

“They were taught the COCOBA principles on such topics as financial business, savings and credit, entrepreneurship, conservation education, marketing, animal pastures, supervision and management of the groups,” said the facilitator, Mr Beatus Kyaratingo from Agricomm in Arusha region.

On animal pastures, the trainer said the participants learned how to grow Juncao, a nutritious feed for animals, to lessen dependence on grazing their animals in wildlife natural habitats.

Through the training, COCOBA members have acquired skills to start and run their own legal businesses instead of engaging in the illicit trade of wildlife poaching.

“Our main objective is to lessen people’s dependence on wildlife resources. We want them to be part of the army of conservationists protecting the animals and the environment,” said Mr Abubakari Munna, a conservationist of the Serengeti ecology from FZS during the closure of the Bariadi training on Wednesday this week..

According to Mr Munna, illegal activities such as poaching, unauthorized wildlife hunting, trade in wild animals, tree-felling, agriculture, and pollution of water sources and grazing domestic animals in game-controlled areas are classified as dangers to wildlife existence.

“We thank God our project is progressing well and helping the community. Through COCOBA groups, members have the opportunity of getting financial loans for running their businesses and paying for social services such as health and education. We want to have a community which not only benefits from conservation but also contributes to conservation efforts,” Mr Munna said.

Bariadi District Social Welfare Officer, Edimeth Kaaro, promised to supervise the COCOBA groups to enable them become sustainable and productive to the community and the Serengeti National Park.

On their part, the trainees thanked FZS, promising to use the knowledge they have acquired to educate their group members and to mobilise other people to join the COCOBA groups in the quest for sustainable conservation.

“We have been taught the many benefits of COCOBA groups; as a member you invest your shares and later have the opportunity of borrowing for managing your business and for increasing your income.

We’re going to educate our fellow community members to grab this opportunity of economic empowerment,” said Hesha Boniface from Mwanzo Mgumu group.

Zakaria Susani Lukonge of the Ikungulyaboba COCOBA group said the training would reduce the human and wildlife conflicts in their areas.

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The training has climaxed the programme launched in March 2024 in Tarime district, Bunda and finally Bariadi.

FZS mobilized the launch of the COCOBA groups through a four-day training, later culminating in the five-day training of secretaries and assistant secretaries respectively for each district.

“The training programme has reached 1,630 people – 781 men and 849 women. Of the total, 603 are from Tarime, 267from Bundaand 760 from Bariadi.

“In Tarime, the COCOBA system has been launched in 11 villages where 22 groups have been formed, in Bunda the system operates in villages with 14 groups, while in Bariadi there are 30 groups in 15 villages.

Mr Munna says as of June this year, the COCOBA groups had accumulated a capital of 44,038,000/- in Tarime; 31,112,600 /- in Bunda and 12,085,000/- for Bariadi.

With its headquarters in Germany, FZS is an international organizationwith significant contribution to the conservation of the Serengeti ecosystem.