East African Community

Lake Victoria Fisheries Organization (LVFO) with funding from International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) through Lake Victoria Small Fish Project (LVSFP) organized a capacity building training of vulnerable women and youth fish processing groups in modern, environmental friendly and cost-effective small fish processing technologies. The training took place from 8th to 10th June 2023, in Bujumbura, Burundi. The objectives of the training were;

1. To demonstrate modern, environmental friendly and cost-effective small fish processing technologies including solar technology
2. To demonstrate improved processing and packaging for enhance market penetration of small fish
3. To sensitize women and youth fish processing groups on the roles and responsibilities of Competent Authority in support of small fish quality assurance and trade
4. Sensitize on the requirements and procedures for small fish and export and import

The training was attended by 31 women and youths from Republics of Burundi, Kenya and Uganda and United Republic of Tanzania.

Ms. Fonda Jane Awuor from Kenya Marine Fisheries Research Institute (KMFRI) who is a Social Inclusion and Gender Specialist under LVSFP gave a presentation on solar drying technology. She detailed the importance of this drying technology especially on rainy days. She also demonstrated that small fish drier from solar driers have higher quality due to controlled environment. She also mentioned that LVSFP is in the process of acquiring new solar driers which will be used for demonstration of innovative solution to address post-harvest losses due to unavailability of enough sun light to dry Dagaa.