The IMLAF project aims at studying the small-scale fishery in the Lake Victoria basin in order to minimize constraints and catalyze socio-economic growth through expansion of markets for Nile perch and sardine quality products and employment opportunities. Postharvest losses and presence of biological, physical and chemical hazards which jeopardize the quantity, quality, safety and marketability of fish and fish products will be addressed.
DANIDA
mdegela@sua.ac.tz
Innovations and Markets for Lake Victoria Fisheries (IMLAF) is a DANIDA-funded project implemented in Lake Victoria basin of Tanzania since January, 2015. The project is collaborative initiative involving Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA), The Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and Technology, Danish Technical University and University of Copenhagen. Other collaborative institutions include Fisheries Education and Training Agency (FETA), Tanzania Fisheries Research Institute (TAFIRI) and National Fish Quality Control Laboratory (NFQCL).
At SUA, the project is among key projects hosted by the African Centere for Health of Aquatic Resources (ACHAR). The Centre hosts a number of projects related to aquatic environment research including IMLAF, TRAHESA, SAWAFO, CYNOTOX, MORATANZA, NUFU etc. under the leadership of Professor Robinson Mdegela.
The project also assessed the socioeconomic status of actors at each node of the fisheries marketing chain (from fish and sardines catch to final consumers). The project intends to transform the fishery sector in the Lake Victoria basin to a profitable business of fish and fish products through training and action research. Based on the existing business arrangements and development of the new products, business models developed.