Youth urged to tap fisheries opportunities

MWANZA: YOUNG people have been urged to tap government financing and emerging investment opportunities in livestock and fisheries to create jobs, raise incomes and accelerate production.

Deputy Minister for Livestock and Fisheries, Ms Ng’wasi Kamani said over the weekend that the government’s loan programmes for boats, fish cages and livestock were designed to help young people to enter into productive activities and build sustainable livelihoods.

Ms Kamani was speaking in Sengerema District, Mwanza Region, during her official working visit.

She urged young people to use the financing opportunities to establish businesses while learning modern production technologies from investors to improve efficiency and productivity.

“Government loans provide an opportunity for young people to become self-employed, increase their incomes and contribute to economic activities, particularly in livestock and fisheries,” she said.

The Deputy Minister also allayed concerns over the safety of fish produced through cage and pond farming, saying the government had established scientific systems to ensure aquaculture products meet quality and food safety requirements.

She said fish feed undergoes regular verification to ensure it complies with standards set by the Ministry.

“These fish are scientifically tested at the National Fisheries Laboratory, while the Tanzania Fisheries Research Institute (TAFIRI) conducts research on the quality of fish fingerlings and monitors the environments where they are raised,” she said.

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Ms Kamani said the measures were part of government efforts to expand aquaculture while maintaining quality, food safety and productivity.

She further encouraged young people to take advantage of opportunities across the livestock and fisheries value chains, including government loans and modern technologies, to increase production, create employment and generate income.

Mwanza Regional Administrative Secretary, Ms Fatuma Mganga, said the region was continuing to create a favourable environment for investors.

She called for greater development of opportunities in livestock and fisheries, saying increased investment in the sectors would help expand economic activities and improve livelihoods while strengthening the region’s contribution to the national economy.

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