ZANZIBAR: PRESIDENT Hussein Mwinyi has committed to providing government support in improving the fishery value chain in order to enhance production.
Improving the fishery value chain can be achieved by addressing challenges in areas such as infrastructure, regulation,and training.
Dr Mwinyi made the pledge when inaugurating the Visiwani Sea Cucumber Farm Zanzibar project located at Ukunjwi, Gando Constituency, North Pemba Region, where he said the plan is among strategies to create a favourable environment for large investments in the Blue Economy sector.
“The target is to leave no small-scale farmer behind in enhancing fish farming including the sea cucumber farming,” Dr Mwinyi said at the event which was among activities to celebrate the 61st anniversary of Zanzibar Revolution that climaxes this Sunday at Gombani Stadum in Pemba.
He explained that the government has prioritised to promote three areas within the Blue Economy: fishing, seaweed farming, and marine aquaculture,which includes farming of fish crabs, lobsters, and sea cucumbers.
Dr Mwinyi also emphasised the need for large scale investors to assist small-scale farmers by providing them with the necessary tools, hatchery (to get alarva, an alevin, a fry, or a fingerling), and eventually purchasing marine products from small-scale farmers.
He noted “We need to see increased investments, and if big investors in the private-sector expand fish farming, Zanzibar will lead in sea cucumber production.
It is an opportunity, let us utiliseit.”Dr Mwinyi reiterated that the purpose of establishing the Ministry of Blue Economy is to ensure proper utilisation of marine resources, create jobs, and enable the country to benefit economically.
The President affirmed that the government will strive to provide modern equipment to fishers to advance efficiency and productive fishing.
He commended the efforts of local investors in sea cucumber farming, calling it a significant step toward in producing a substantial quantity of sea cucumbers while stressing the importance of empowering citizens.
Speaking on seaweed farming, Dr Mwinyi assured the people in Pemba that the construction of the seaweed processing factory building has been completed, with operations pending to begin.
During the ceremony, Chairman of Visiwani Sea Cucumber Farm Zanzibar project, Mr TaufiqTurky, said the institution aims to build a sea cucumber processing factory in Pemba.
Mr Turky also said that his project seeks to enable other citizens to farm sea cucumbers,targeting to begin production with at least 100 tonnes of sea cucumbers.
Sea cucumber is a marine invertebrate related to sea urchin sand star fish.
It is dried and used in soups and other dishes and is considered a delicacy in Asian countries. Sea cucumber is used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat fatigue, impotence, constipation, frequent urination, and joint pain.
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Speaking earlier this week after laying the foundation stone for the construction of the IMS Academic and Administration Building at Buyu, Chukwani inUnguja West B District as part of activities in marking the 61st anniversary for Zanzibar Revolution, President Mwinyi said the isles’ core economic policy centres around the blue economy,which includes sectors such as tourism (which contributes 30per cent to GDP), fishing, seaweed farming and marine aquaculture.
“IMS is well-positioned to produce experts in these fields, as well as in other sectors of the blue economy, including seaports, oil and gas and maritime transport,”Dr Mwinyi said.
President Mwinyi further said that the government has high expectations for the institute in generating research that will contribute to the development of the blue economy.He noted that Zanzibar’score economic policy centres around the blue economy, which includes sectors such as tourism(which contributes 30 per cent to GDP), fishing, seaweed farming and marine aquaculture.
“IMS is well-positioned to produce experts in these fields, as well as in other sectors of the blue economy, including seaports, oil and gas and maritime transport,”Dr Mwinyi said.
President Mwinyi further said that the government has high expectations for the institute in generating research that will contribute to the development of the blue economy
