Mpanju: Starting from scratch to owning Sh700 million fish cage farms

Mwanza. Elpidius Mpanju, 34, stares with pride across the expansive Lake Victoria and points at more than 60 fish cages which have transformed his life.

Fish cage farming has turned into a thriving business which meets the demand for fresh fish in the local market in the wake of dwindling stocks in the natural waters.

The Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) says at least 70 percent of fish will be harvested on farms including fishing cages by 2030.

It says in one of its latest reports that three people out of seven rely on fish to obtain proteins globally, thus ringing a bell that community needs to invest more in modern fishing technique to get fish nutrients.

In Tanzania, the current fish demand is between 700,000 and 800,000 metric tons annually but supply stands at about 400, 000 to 450,000 metric tons.

“I believe Tanzania could rely on fish cages to supply fisheries with industrial raw materials and ensure food security for its people,” says Mpanju, adding that he was planning to set up more cages to increase production.

The passionate and ambitious Mpanju is now harvesting over 15 metric tons of Tilapia fish from his 60 cages per month but he has a dream of increasing production to 4,000 metric tons by 2030.

He said he has so far invested over Sh700 million in construction of fishing cages at Kisoko area in Luchelele Ward, Nyamagana District in Mwanza Region and a hatchery at Mwasonge, Misungwi District.

The amount signals a monumental rise from an initial capital of only Sh1 million which he saved from his accommodation allowance during his days as an undergraduate students at the Saint Augustine University of Tanzania way back in 2022.

"Our country is rich in resources, we don't have to rely on imported fish,” he said, noting that through technological innovations, Tanzania can actually surpass its fish demand.

Mr Mpanju, who is the CEO of MyFish Tanzania, said though education on fisheries is provided in some colleges, over 80 percent of people currently owning cages along Lake Victoria have been trained at his farm.

"Until 2022 over 460 fish cages were introduced in Lake Victoria. Most of the owners were trained here,” he said, noting that the cages have had a significant role in raising the fish supply.

Apart from creating jobs for graduates, Mpanju’s farm is also used by government to train students studying at fisheries colleges across the country. In this year’s intake alone, 15 students were doing their field studies at the farm.

Media reports indicate that Tanzanians consume hardly 8 kilos of fish per person per year, yet it has the potential to produce over 756,000 metric tonnes (required to meet the demand of 20.3 kg/person/year plus export), so this is the right way to go," says Ms Judith Mzurikwao, the Head of Digital and Finance Manager at the farm.

Mpanju’s farm manager, Magina Mashauri hinted that over 30 youths have secured permanent jobs at the farm.

"I have been working here for not less than two years now. From this farm I can afford to pay my bills and take care of my parents," he said.

Kisoko Village Executive Officer, Rugaba Ekalangaliga told The Citizen that over 10 youths from his area have secured employment at the farm.

"We welcome other people to invest in cage fishing farming around Luchelele Ward. We can assure you that residents are cooperative. All we expect from the farm is employments," Mr Ekalangaliga said.

According to the training coordinator at Fisheries Education and Training Agency (Feta), Peter Masumbuko fish obtained from lakes are not safe compared to fish grown in cages because lake fish are exposed to unwanted wastes, including plastics.

"Due to increased level of lake pollution specifically dumping of wastes from industries to the water bodies, fish have become prone to swallowing plastics and other dangerous chemicals, that's why we encourage cage fishing since fish to eat the right foods there," he said.

Speaking in Mwanza recently, Livestock and Fisheries minister, Abdallah Ulega admitted that Lake Victoria has untapped potential on cage fish farming, saying it is the right time to change the trend.

“It’s true that, despite its huge potential, Lake Victoria is largely untapped. President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s administration is working on this and by 2025, we’re envisioned to produce at least 600,000 metric tonnes per annum,” he explained.

He said the current national per capital fish consumption is far below the internationally recommended standard.

“Yields derived from traditional fishing have been declining, yet the demand is increasing, so the government is now encouraging commercial fish cage farming by identifying at least 30 potential areas for Lake Victoria in Mwanza and Bukoba,” Mr Ulega said.

The minister revealed that the government has eased some requirements for setting up cage fish farms which related to project approval by Tanzania Fisheries Research Institute (Tafiri) and National Environment Management Council (Nemc) to attract more people into the sector,

“Some of these requirements served as holdups to the development of the industry, many local investors failed. Therefore, things have changed as it is easier for a person interested in cage culture, to invest without any disturbance,” Mr Ulega insisted.

“On top of that, the president has added another push by providing Sh100 billion more of which 60 percent is injected to fish production we need to produce 600,000 metric tonnes by 2025,” the minister said.

According to the minister, individuals, groups, and established companies will qualify for the said loan, though 30 percent of disbursed credits will be for youth, whereby start-ups will have Sh65 million worth credits and those already in business will be able to loan up to Sh200 million.

“We intend to have 800 cages,” said Mr Ulega, adding, “The credit is a complete package whereby one will have a complete cage with its nets, adequate supplies of good quality feed for all levels, and fingering.

Mr Ulega had further noted that the highlighted initial project of 800 cages will need at least 3,500 tonnes of feed and 14 million fingerings, which is another investment opportunity for hatchery and feed production.