The overall objective of the project is to contribute towards development of competitive, gender equitable and sustainable commercial aquaculture in order to improve the economic development and sustainable management of natural resources in the Lake Victoria basin.
The Project is expected to improve access to commercial networks for aquaculture related businesses, increase availability and quality of local skilled workers for the development of aquaculture-related businesses, improve sustainability and bio-security of regional aquaculture production systems.
On the same NOTE if we may, we were very pleased with the regional VISION of forming East Africa Aquaculture regional body. We are much delighted to say the project will support the development of stronger links between regional and international aquaculture related businesses, as well as stronger sector information systems through: Establishment of a regular East African Aquaculture Exhibition and Conference
A regional trade exhibition would bring together East African aquaculture operators, investors and foreign suppliers of equipment and services. A parallel conference would also promote the region and the science underpinning aquaculture development bringing together research and industry at regional and international level. A regional dimension would have a significant advantage over a series of national events in ensuring the effective strengthening of business-to-business networks across national borders.
Addressing the media, the Head of Delegation of the European Union to Tanzania and the EAC, H.E. Ambassador Roeland van de Geer reiterated the importance of fish farming having the potential to be a key driver for poverty eradication and sustainable development in the region: “Not only will fish farming help improve regional nutrition and food security. It will also provide new sources of rural income and contribute to contain pressure on the wild resources of the Lake Victoria”. He further stressed that the EU-EAC TRUE-FISH programme aims to tackle some of the key challenges as well as sustainability risks for the development of market-led, competitive and sustainable commercial aquaculture in the Lake Victoria basin.
