Africa-Press – Tanzania. OVER 2,000 individuals in Bagamoyo and Kinondoni districts are set to benefit from a five-year Community Managed Savings Groups (CMSG) project, which incorporates Blue Economy activities.
This follows the signing of an agreement between the Fisheries Education and Training Agency (FETA) and the Organisation for Community Development (OCODE) to implement the initiative.
The project, which primarily targets women and youth, aims to economically empower these groups through financial literacy training and sustainable livelihood initiatives in both districts.
Under the agreement, beneficiaries in Bagamoyo District will also participate in Blue Economy livelihood projects, focusing on sustainable income-generating activities such as seaweed cultivation.
FETA will provide technical support and modern training methods to farming groups engaged in seaweed farming and other marine-related ventures.
Speaking at the signing ceremony held at FETA College in Mbegani, Bagamoyo District, FETA Chief Executive Officer Dr Semvua Mzighani said the partnership aligns with the government’s broader goal of economically empowering women and youth.
“What we’ve done with OCODE today is a continuation of the government’s efforts to ensure that women and youth across the country become financially independent by utilising the resources available in their communities,” said Dr Mzighani.
He also underscored the importance of Tanzania’s 1,420-kilometre coastline along the Indian Ocean, which supports a large population and offers vast economic opportunities.
The government, he said, continues to work with various stakeholders on Blue Economy initiatives such as crab fattening, sea cucumber farming and seaweed cultivation, to enable coastal communities to generate sustainable income.
OCODE’s Livelihood Projects Manager, Ms Noreen Tarimo, said the project was developed with active input from the intended beneficiaries.
“We involved community members in designing the project to ensure it meets their real needs. So far, lead farmers have received training in seaweed farming and sea safety,” she said.
She added that 30 farmer groups in Bagamoyo District have already established eight demonstration seaweed plots as part of the initial implementation phase.
OCODE Executive Director, Mr Jackson Joseph, reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to supporting national development objectives.
“This is just the beginning of our collaboration with FETA. We are planning more joint projects to continue supporting the government’s efforts to improve livelihoods and create economic breakthroughs in communities,” he said.
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