Kipumbwi Ward residents reap gains from AFDP’s agriculture, fisheries projects

PANGANI: RESIDENTS of Kipumbwi Ward in Pangani District, Tanga Region, have reported benefiting from the Agriculture and Fisheries Development Programme (AFDP).

This programme is implemented by the Government of the United Republic of Tanzania in partnership with the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and coordinated by the Prime Minister’s Office (Policy, Parliament, Coordination, and Persons with Disabilities).

This was stated on September 8, 2026, by representatives of fishers, processors, and fish traders from Kipumbwi Ward during a visit to assess the programme’s implementation as part of the Mid-Term Review (MTR) conducted by the IFAD team.

Speaking during the visit, Mr. Abdallah Mohamed, Secretary of the Kipumbwi Anchovy Processors Association (UWADAKI), stated that the AFDP aims to improve citizens’ lives by increasing incomes and fish production, reducing post-harvest losses, promoting the sustainable use of fisheries resources, and strengthening nutrition and gender related outcomes.

He noted that various groups have benefited from the programme, including Beach Management Units (BMUs), fisher associations, processors, and small-scale fish traders. He added that the program has facilitated the construction of various infrastructure aimed at improving fishing activities and the fish trade; this includes an international fish market, drying racks for anchovy an ice-making plant, and a cold storage facility.

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This infrastructure is expected to reduce post-harvest losses, improve the business environment, enhance the value of fishery products, expand market access, and boost food and nutrition security as well as employment opportunities.

Furthermore, Mr. Mohamed noted that the AFDP has provided various training sessions. These include financial literacy and entrepreneurship training designed to empower fishers, processors, and small-scale fish traders to establish and run successful businesses and to manage finances effectively particularly regarding income and expenditure. Nutrition training aimed to raise awareness about the importance of good nutrition especially for children and specific age groups and the link between proper nutrition, health, and productivity.

Additionally, gender training focused on increasing the participation of women and youth in economic activities and decision-making processes within families and groups, while also promoting equal opportunities in production, trade, and the use of income.

Furthermore, the AFDP aims to promote climate-resilient, sustainable fishing and increase fish catche measures expected to boost incomes for citizens at the community level and across Pangani District as a whole.