THE government has said it is implementing a plan to invest in the fisheries sector, whereas it has prepared a plan to empower fishermen and women with modern fishing equipment so that they can engage in aquaculture in the Lake Victoria zone.
Deputy Minister for Livestock and Fisheries, David Silinde revealed the plan when responding to a question by Special Seats lawmaker, Ng’wasi Kamani, who had wanted to know the government’s strategy to empower youth in the lake zone in the fisheries sector.
Responding, the deputy minister said that the government recognises the need to invest in the fisheries sector in order to increase value addition.
“During the 2022/2023 financial year, the minister said it had allocated funds for empowering actors in the fisheries sector with modern boats through a concessional loan provided by the Tanzania Agricultural Development Bank (TADB).
He said the government has prepared a programme aimed at developing aquaculture by providing financial support to players in the sector.
In September last year, the government signed the 60bn/- Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Tanzania Development Bank (TADB) to help the struggling fisheries sector.
The amount is meant to provide interest free loans for aquaculture development to individuals and groups of fishermen in the country.
According to Mr Silinde, the programme follows a directive issued by President Samia Suluhu Hassan in January, 2022, calling for stakeholders to utilize available opportunities brought by the blue economy, including improving aquaculture.
