WWF funded programme to train villagers on improved fish products in Mara River Basin

A non-governmental organization in Mara region, Victoria Farming and Fishing Organisation (VIFAFIO), plans to train more than 1,000 people engaged in the fishing industry to improve the value of their products.

The training sessions, according to VIFAFIO manager Mr Majura Maingu, will involve artisanal fishermen along the Mara River basin.

He revealed this recently during a two-day workshop which attracted stakeholders in the fishing industry.

The workshop, attended by leaders of fishing centers, village chairmen, and water user associations ,drew guidelines on how the training sessions will be carried out to benefit people who have sought employment in the fishing sector.

“We will begin the programme with 60 women. This is because women have in recent years emerged as good entrepreneurs in various economic activities, Maingu said.

 “Today if you go to markets or business centres you will see successful women engaged in the sale of vegetables and fish. We believe if we train women they will improve the value of their fish products and earn more money,” he added.

The programme will focus on people in 27 villages of district councils bordering Mara River such as Serengeti, Tarime, Rorya, Butiama and Musoma.

The VIFAFIO value-chain programme in improving fish products is under the sponsorship of the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) Tanzania. “Stakeholders interviewed were optimistic that the programme will go a long way in improving their economic wellbeing as well as protecting the environment along the Mara River basin.

(By Christopher Gamaina)

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *