Minister seeks extension of FISH4ACP programme

DODOMA: THE Minister for Livestock and Fisheries Development, Abdalla Ulega has called on the donor community to extend and expand the FISH4ACP programme that is supporting to enhance the value chain of Lake Tanganyika’s fish products.

The programme cofinanced by the European Union and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Developments is set to end on 31st of December 2025.

“My humble request to you is to make sure we extend this programme and if possible, to extend to other water bodies,” said the minister at opening of the Blue Food Forum 2024 in Dar es Salaam yesterday.

He said Tanzania needed continued support from the development partners to extend and expand the programme beyond Lake Tanganyika and build on its achievements.

The Minister hailed the FISH4ACP programme in Tanzania as valuable initiative that has significantly improved the sustainability and competitiveness of the country’s fisheries and aquaculture sector.

FISH4ACP is supporting Tanzania to strengthen its position as a main producer of Lake Tanganyika sardine, sprat and perch in Kigoma, Katavi and Rukwa regions.

It promotes sustainable value chains, increasing income and employment opportunities and contributing to the conservation of Lake Tanganyika’s natural resources.

FISH4ACP works to increase incomes of smallscale fishers, processors and traders, particularly women, by investing in improved fish handling and processing methods and by upgrading business models to access high-value markets, while contributing to poverty reduction, food security and the conservation of natural resources.

“The programme has boosted the value chain of fish and sardine in significant ways.

Previously, sardines sold locally for only 5,000/- per kilogramme.

Now, sardines from Kigoma fetch between 15 and 20 US dollars per kilogramme in European, the USA, Canada and Australia markets,” he said.

“So, my humble request is extension of FISH4ACP programme…and not only to Lake Tangayika but also to other water bodies,” he said.

The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries Development, Prof Riziki Shemdoe, also supported the minister’s plea highlighting programme’s positive impact on the fish value chain and the livelihoods of fishers and processors.

“We are requesting for an extension of the programme so that we can extend the good work the programme is doing to the fishers and processors,” said Prof Mdoe.

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FAO’s Technical Advisor for FISH4ACP Project Management Unit, Gilles van de Walle, told the ‘Daily News’ that FAO, as the coordinator of the project was ready to continue with the project when the donors agreed to extend it.

“FAO is fully ready to help continue and expand the work of FISH4ACP programme,” he said.

He said success of extending the FISH4ACP programme depended on the continued commitment of its donors, including the European Union and the German Federal Government.

FAO welcomes the participation of additional donors and agencies interested in supporting this initiative, he said.

“We would need the commitment of the donors who are financing the project, the European Union and the Germany Federal Gover