Dr Jim Yonazi, the Policy, Parliament and Coordination permanent secretary in the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) said the cost of the new ships is 30bn/-, meant to facilitate deep sea fishing.
This will help to improve livelihoods of fishers and the nation’s economy at large, as part of efforts to stimulate fisheries modernisation.
He made the remarks at the signing of contracts for a feasibility study on deep sea fishing vessels and two fish processing factories, one set to be built in Kilwa District, Lindi Region and at the Fungurefu area in Zanzibar, costing 348m/- altogether.
He urged the contracted companies, the Dar es Salaam Merchant Group (DMG) and Tansheq consulting firms, to efficiently conduct the feasibility study within 45 days, noting that of the eight ships, four will be allocated to the Tanzania Fisheries Corporation (TAFICO) and four others to its Isles version, the Zanzibar Fishing Corporation (ZAFICO).
He cited the Agriculture and Fisheries Development Programme (AFDP) as among national strategic projects under the third five year development plan from fiscal 2021/22 to fiscal 2025/26.
Completing the study will enable the government to commence the construction of the fishing vessels and the processing plants, he said, with AFDP programme coordinator Salimu Mwinjaka saying that the programme is expected to benefit about 1.3m people.
These include 200,000 households of small-holder farmers who will be getting quality maize, sunflower and bean seeds, he stated, noting that the initiative will also benefit about 1000 seed producers and agriculture input traders. They will be getting prerequisite training to improve their farm operations, he affirmed.
A total of 48,000 small-scale fishers, fish traders and fish farmers will also benefit along with 21,000 seaweed farmers, he added.
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