TANZANIA: THE government is intensifying efforts to address post-harvest losses in fisheries which is a critical challenge in the nation’s fisheries sector.
According to a study by the Tanzania Fisheries Research Institute (TAFIRI), 40 per cent of fish are lost due to unfavourable environmental conditions.
The Director General of TAFIRI, Dr Ismael Kimirei, stressed the seriousness of the situation, noting that for every 100 kilogrammes of fish harvested, 40 kilogrammes are lost, primarily due to poor handling, inadequate storage and fluctuating environmental conditions.
To address this, the Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries has developed strategies to reduce fish loss by 2030 to ensure a stable food supply for Tanzanians.
Dr Kimirei emphasised that these efforts are essential for improving the fishing industry and securing long-term food security for the population.
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Central to these strategies are educating local communities on better fishing practices, proper storage techniques and effective management of aquatic resources.
Dr Kimirei pointed out that substantial fish losses not only undermine the livelihoods of local fishermen but also threaten the availability of fish, a key food source for the population.
In addition to educational initiatives, Tanzania is also focusing on modernising infrastructure and leveraging technology to reduce post-harvest losses.
This includes investments in cold storage facilities, improving transportation networks and adopting advanced tools to monitor environmental conditions affecting fish health.
The need for innovation in tackling these challenges was highlighted during the 9th Science, Technology and Innovation Conference & Exhibition (STICE) 2024.
Minister for Education, Science and Technology, Prof Adolf Mkenda, urged innovators to ensure that the knowledge gained from the conference is used to address real-world problems.
He emphasised that science should not remain confined to laboratories but must actively transform the lives of Tanzanians.
“The government will continue to push forward to make science a pillar of social and economic development,” Prof Mkenda stated.
He also expressed the need for innovators to ensure their work reaches the market and has a tangible impact on society.
Prof Mkenda reiterated the government’s commitment to improving science education, including offering preferential treatment for science students to access loans.
He stressed the importance of developing young experts in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields to contribute to the country’s economic growth.
“Developed countries have sustainable development because they have invested in human capital as an asset, and we must do the same,” he said.
In line with these goals, Dr Amos Nungu, Director General of the Tanzania Commission for Science and Technology (COSTECH), highlighted the conference’s key recommendations.
These included strengthening stakeholder dialogues, implementing an industrial policy to address sector challenges and fostering collaboration between higher education and industries.
Dr Nungu also called for adopting technologies to mitigate climate change challenges.
The Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, Prof Daniel Mushi, emphasised the need for Tanzania to strengthen its science, technology and innovation sectors to boost economic growth.
He urged researchers to focus on bio-economy research as a way to address pressing challenges.
