Fish Farming in Kilolo District is transforming lives

Fish farming in Kilolo District is changing lives, conserving forests, and creating economic opportunities in rural Tanzania. In the small village of Lulindi, located in Ukwega Ward, the Amka Group has become a model of success thanks to a fish farming project funded by the Eastern Arc Mountains Conservation Endowment Fund (EAMCEF).

Led by its Secretary Conifred Myumbu, the group began in 2017 with just 14 members—8 women and 6 men—and received 500 fish fry and one pond. Over time, the group expanded to 21 members and now boasts 26 fish ponds, with early members owning two ponds each.

“This year, I sold fish and bought 16 beehives worth 220,000 shillings,” says Conifred Myumbu. “Also, last year I used the fish income to buy a motorcycle worth 2.8 million shillings and to open a business valued at 1.3 million shillings.”

Strategies and Achievements

From the beginning, the project aimed to both improve livelihoods and support the conservation of the Kilombero Nature Forest Reserve. With consistent support from EAMCEF, the Amka Group achieved remarkable growth. As a result, members have become more self-reliant, using fish farming profits to improve their agricultural practices and diversify income sources.

“We now eat better, earn more, and protect our forests. Fish farming has given us dignity and independence,” says another group member.

Clearly, fish farming in Kilolo District has become more than just a livelihood—it is now a community movement.

Economic and Environmental Benefits

Moreover, the project’s success goes beyond the group itself. Group members have used their earnings to start small businesses, invest in education, and improve their standard of living. Equally important, fish has become a key food source, reducing the community’s reliance on forest resources such as wild meat and firewood.

This shift is contributing directly to the conservation of the Kilombero Nature Forest Reserve, showcasing the environmental impact of sustainable aquaculture.

Project Spread

Consequently, the benefits of the project have begun to spread. Today, Lulindi village has 39 ponds, with six more under construction. Notably, some of these belong to non-members who were inspired by the Amka Group’s success.

“We have become educators,” Conifred explains. “We supply fish fry and teach others about fish farming. People from neighboring villages and even outside Kilolo District come to learn from us.”

Without a doubt, fish farming in Kilolo District is creating a ripple effect that extends far beyond Lulindi.

Kisacha Group in the Same District

Similarly, in Msindo village, the Kisacha Group—initially known for their improved cookstove project—has embraced fish farming. Supported by EAMCEF, they’ve turned it into a model initiative. In addition to fish farming, they raise livestock like chickens, ducks, and goats.

Importantly, recognizing the need for water, the group has become strong advocates for the protection of the Chome Nature Forest Reserve, which supplies water for their ponds.

“We understand now: protecting the forest protects our fish and our future,” says a Kisacha Group member.

Environmental Conservation

As a result of these efforts, the community has moved away from environmentally harmful practices like hunting and deforestation. The availability of farmed fish as a food source has reduced pressure on natural ecosystems, making fish farming in Kilolo District a key contributor to environmental sustainability.

Call to Young People

Looking ahead, Conifred Myumbu has a clear message for Tanzania’s youth—especially those in Kilolo District and Lulindi village:

“If you fail to be a fisherman, you will be lazy,” he says. “Fish farming offers economic benefits and helps conserve our environment. Our young people must embrace it.”

Indeed, the future of community-led conservation and rural development in Tanzania may very well rest in the hands of young people willing to take up sustainable practices like fish farming.

Story Details

Location:
Lulindi Village, Ukwega Ward, Kilolo District, and Msindo Village, Msindo Ward, Same District
District Surrounding Forest:
Kilombero and Chome Nature Forest Reserves

KEY DATA

500 fish fries and 1 fish pond received in 2017 marked the beginning of Amka Group’s fish farming project, laying the foundation for what would grow into a large-scale community success.
26 fish ponds are now managed by Amka Group, showcasing significant growth from their single pond in just a few years.
14 original members (8 women and 6 men) formed Amka Group, which has since expanded to 21 members (11 women and 10 men), reflecting increased community interest and participation.
39 total fish ponds now exist in Lulindi Village, benefiting both group members and non-members, with 6 more currently being excavated, signaling ongoing expansion.
16 beehives worth TZS 220,000, a motorcycle worth TZS 2.8 million, and a business valued at TZS 1.3 million were acquired by Conifred Myumbu—clear evidence of the personal economic impact of fish farming.
Funding from the Eastern Arc Mountains Conservation Endowment Fund (EAMCEF) enabled the fish farming initiative, driving both environmental conservation and livelihood improvement.

First of all, this group has helped me a lot. When we sold our fish produce, I used the money to build a toilet at home. In the second phase, I bought improved maize and sunflower seeds, which I planted on my farm. So I’m really benefiting from this project.

In the past, it was hard to find fresh fish here in the mountains, but now they are available. We thank the Eastern Arc Mountains Fund, because now we can eat fresh, big fish ourselves—not just see their pictures, as people used to tease us Pare by saying we only saw fish in pictures.

Mama Mguruta

I bought 40 chicks and I’m still raising them at home—they’re almost ready to sell. I thank the project’s donors through the Eastern Arc Mountains Fund for helping us identify and implement this fish farming project.

We’ve even reached others who want similar projects and we’ve trained them on how to dig fishponds. I’m thankful for the support from Eastern Arc; I’ve learned a lot, including how to make fish feed. Now I can even dig my own pond at home and raise fish myself.

Grace Zefania Mzava

The fish farming project funded by the Eastern Arc Mountains Conservation Endowment Fund has benefited me greatly. Since the project began, I’ve been able to feed my family with fish as a source of protein, and I’ve also earned an income that allowed me to pay school fees for my children. With the money I earned, I bought chicks to raise.

My children used to attend public schools, but now I’ve transferred them to private schools. I used to buy cooking oil by the spoonful, but now, thanks to this fish project, I can buy a 5-liter container. I’m truly grateful to our donors from the Eastern Arc for bringing this project to our village.

Geofrey Elisafi Mguruta

In the past, I used to sneak into the forest to hunt for meat. Now I get legal and easily accessible protein from my fishpond. I’ve managed to educate my two children with the income from selling fish. I’ve also started a business selling petrol and vegetables. Fish farming has significantly reduced the destruction of the Kilombero Forest – there’s no more need to hunt or burn the forest. This is a project that transforms lives and protects the environment.

Musa Lumuliko Mwenga

I started fish farming in 2021. From the profits, I’ve been able to farm maize, open a shop, buy a motorcycle, and travel to Arusha to collect strawberry seedlings. I’ve also established a large avocado nursery. In the past, my wife struggled to find vegetables, but now I easily get protein from the fishpond. Farming has also become easier because I can now hire laborers using the profits from fish farming.

Nikagro Yuda Samwel Myumbu

Through this fish farming project, last year I sold fish and managed to buy a motorcycle worth TZS 2.8 million and opened a shop worth TZS 1.3 million. This year, I’ve bought 16 beehives. This project has benefited us economically, environmentally, and socially – now we harvest fish twice a year and even support neighboring communities with food and education. When we started, we had only one pond. Today, we have 26 ponds managed by the group, and each member has their pond. After seeing the benefits, even people outside the group have started digging ponds – now we have a total of 39 ponds in the village and over 40,000 fingerlings. We secured a TZS 6 million loan from the district council, repaid it on time, and now we lend to other fish farmers at low interest rates – so they stop cutting down trees and start fish farming instead.

Conifred Myumbu