Tanzanian youth group targets 127 million shillings from fish farming

The Kitwima youth group, made up of seven graduates in Mwanza, Tanzania, is targeting more than 127 million Tanzanian shillings in revenue from cage fish farming on Lake Victoria. It received a 106 million shilling loan under the government’s youth financing programme, the Daily News reported.

The group plans to harvest 15 tonnes of fish from six cages after six to seven months of operation. At a harvest ceremony in Mwanza, Kedmon Mapana, the deputy permanent secretary responsible for youth development in the presidency, praised the creation of the business and encouraged its members to increase the number of cages to 10 to 20 in the next phase. He also backed their plan to acquire a modern boat.

The government has opened a second round of its youth loan programme, Mapana said. He urged beneficiaries to repay their loans on time so others could access the funding, and encouraged young people to register with the Youth Empowerment System, a scheme to record their place of residence, skills and economic activities.

Yohana Mirumbe, an officer responsible for the development of aquatic organisms at the Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries, described the project as an example of the blue economy’s potential to create opportunities for young people.