The government has received a modern fish processing facility capable of producing more than 15 tonnes of ice and drying over 300 kilogrammes of dagaa per day, in a move aimed at boosting productivity and reducing post-harvest losses in Kigoma Region.
The facility, handed over on April 14, 2026 at Katonga landing site, was delivered through the Food and Agriculture Organization under the FISH4ACP project, as part of ongoing efforts to modernise Tanzania’s fisheries sector and strengthen value addition.
Kigoma Regional Administrative Secretary Hassan Rungwa, who officiated the handover, said the investment will improve efficiency among fishers and help expand production to meet growing demand in both local and export markets.
He said the new technology will enhance the quality of fish products, boost their competitiveness, and raise incomes for communities that depend on fishing.
“This facility will significantly reduce spoilage and improve handling of fish, which has been a long-standing challenge in the sector,” he said.
He called on fishers and institutions overseeing the project to ensure proper use and maintenance of the equipment so that it delivers sustainable benefits.
The facility includes an ice-making plant with a daily capacity of over 15 tonnes, a dagaa drying system capable of handling more than 300 kilogrammes per day, 10 solar-powered refrigerators each with a capacity exceeding 500 litres, and more than 20 cool boxes.
Deputy Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries (Fisheries), Prof. Mohammed Sheikh, said the investment will unlock new opportunities across the fisheries value chain by improving preservation, processing and market access.
He commended the Food and Agriculture Organization for its continued support and urged more stakeholders to invest in the sector to increase output and meet rising demand.
“The focus now should be on increasing production while ensuring quality standards that can compete in international markets,” he said.
Prof. Sheikh said the government is also investing in fisheries infrastructure, including the construction of fishing ports in Bagamoyo and Kilwa, to improve logistics and efficiency in the sector.
He noted that the FISH4ACP project, which has been implemented in Tanzania since 2020, is designed to empower fisheries stakeholders, particularly women, by equipping them with modern technologies and skills.
FAO Resident Representative Nyabenyi Tipo said the project introduces a hybrid energy system that combines grid electricity and solar power, which is expected to cut ice production costs by up to 50 percent.
She said the innovation will improve efficiency, minimise losses after harvest and open up new economic opportunities for fishers and processors in Kigoma.
