EXECUTION of the Building a Better Tomorrow: Youth Initiative for Agribusiness (BBT-YIA) programme in Mwanza Region has begun to bear fruit as beneficiaries engaged in fish farming commence harvesting.

This was said at the weekend during the first phase of tilapia harvesting attended by Livestock and Fisheries Minister Abdallah Ulega. 

The event took place at the TWIHAME Youth Group which operates fish farming through cages at Kisoko area of Luchelele Ward in Nyamagana District.

During the event, Ulega expressed gratitude to the government for providing approximately 2.2bn/-, enabling 11 youth groups to engage in fish farming at Kisoko. The youth have invested in over 100 cages in the area.

“Today, from just one cage, they will harvest about 4,000 fish, generating more than 30m/-. This brings hope and proves that investment in Lake Victoria through cage farming is significant. This initiative will help reduce illegal fishing by providing alternative employment opportunities,” he said.

One beneficiary, Omary Mangu, who serves as secretary of the beneficiaries in Nyamagana District, expressed gratitude to the government for the interest-free loan that enabled them to pursue fish farming.

He noted that they have begun to see the benefits of this support.

On September 25, 2024, youth from another group, Nguvu Kazi, harvested 13.37 tonnes from six cages and after selling their catch, earned over 100m/-.

On January 30 this year, during her visit to Mwanza, President Samia Suluju Hassan launched a project involving provision of 222 cages and 160 boats in loan to fishermen nationwide to enable them conduct their activities productively and improve income.