The following news about the KijaniSpace project rally was broadcast by Star TV Tanzania. Star TV Tanzania is a Tanzanian television station that broadcasts a wide range of content. Based in Mwanza, near Lake Victoria, it also has offices in Dar es Salaam.
Changes in climate are beginning to affect key economic activities across East Africa, particularly fishing and agriculture. In response, stakeholders from Uganda, Tanzania, and Kenya are coming together to design a strategic plan that improves agricultural and fish production through sustainable, data-driven approaches.
One such initiative is the KijaniSpace project, which brings together experts and innovators in Mwanza City to explore how technology can support farmers and fishers. The project aims to promote environmentally friendly practices by providing timely, location-specific information to those heading to the lake or farm.
“We must have technologies that help farmers adapt to these changes,” one participant noted. “That is why this project, funded by the European Commission, seeks to use technology, data, and information to enhance adaptation efforts.”
Through the use of digital systems, the project will guide fishers on optimal fishing zones, timing, and strategies for maximizing productivity. Similarly, it will support farmers in making informed decisions to improve efficiency and yields.
“This is how we collaborate—reaching consumers, sharing expertise, and responding together when challenges arise,” said a local agricultural expert. “This joint effort ensures a consumer-centered, efficient production chain.”
Coordinated by SIDO (Small Industries Development Organization), the KijaniSpace project is expected to provide long-term solutions to the climate-related challenges facing smallholder producers.
“The goal is for all farmers to conduct their activities while taking environmental challenges into account,” a project lead explained. “We will also provide training on different techniques to help them stabilize and sustain production.”
Participants emphasized the economic value of the initiative:
“Improving these sectors means improving the incomes of our people and strengthening the region’s economy.”
The regional dialogue sparked excitement among those involved, especially regarding the project’s innovative technologies.
“I’m very excited about this project,” one stakeholder shared. “We are developing tools that not only show climate impacts but can also identify areas rich in fish stocks, helping us plan for better harvests in both fishing and farming.”
The KijaniSpace project is being implemented in Tanzania over a three-year period, with financial support from the European Union. It represents a powerful collaboration between policy, science, and local communities—working together to ensure that East African farmers and fishers can thrive in the face of climate change.
Reported by Sharifa Suleiman, Star TV, Mwanza
