IFAD, AFDP experts see good progress in agriculture and fisheries projects in Tanga Region

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TANGA: A delegation from the International Fund for Agriculture Development (IFAD) and experts from the sectors implementing the Agriculture and Fisheries Development Programme (AFDP) met in Tanga Region today, September 7, 2026, to review the Programme’s implementation progress.

In conjunction with this, the team on 8th September 2026 will visit project sites within Tanga Region which include construction of a modern fish market at Kipumbwi in Pangani District and the Farmer Field School (FFS) and Demo plot sites in Handeni District, Msomelo ward.

The implementation progress indicates that the FFS sites for the crop production have demonstrated significant success, with yields reaching approximately 20 bags (100 kg each) per hectare; consequently, the farming community which includes the Maasai community who are traditionally pastoralists is now actively engaged in agriculture and benefiting from the increased crop produce.

In the case of the fisheries sector, the construction of the Kipumbwi fish Market in Pangani District has reached 68percent completion, with the project expected to be finished by October 2026.

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Additionally, the program is constructing 40 drying racks for dagaa (sardines), capable of drying approximately five tons of the fish at a time at Kipumbwi.

Furthermore, the AFDP is building a cold storage facility and an ice-making plant at the market to facilitate fish preservation and storage which will help reduce post-harvest losses of fish harvest.

Earlier today, the IFAD Country Director, Mr. Seth Meng, met with the Acting Regional Administrative Secretary for Tanga, Mr. Emmanuel Kisongo, to discuss the program’s implementation in the region and the anticipated benefits for local communities; the Acting Regional Administrative Secretary noted that the program is a vital partner in fostering agricultural and fisheries development in the region.