BACKGROUND

Get to know more about our project

Lake Victoria supplies almost 60% of the fish consumption in Africa. The fishermen fish for sardines,
also called dagaa. To preserve the fish, it must be dried, which is currently done on the beach.
However, this causes a lot of nutritional value and quality of the fish to be lost (goal 2). Especially on
bad days during the rainy season the fishermen suffer a lot of losses. The drying process can take up
to 5 days and due to the poor and unsanitary conditions the fishermen can lose up to 50% of the
catch (goal 14). Also the nutritional value is lower when the fish takes longer to dry, while the fish is
the main source of protein for much of this region. A solution for this problem is therefor of great
importance.

The goal of this project is to develop an efficient and innovative drying system for the fishermen,
preferably with the use of solar energy (goal 7). We want to create a cleaner dried sardine (that’s
dried on the sand of the beach) and decrease losses by creating consistent and optimal drying times.
Also, the quality of the product will be increased. By having certainty about the amount of product
that will be dried the price will be stabilized, which makes it accessible to everyone at all times. Also,
an increased quality and amount (goal 2) of sardine will increase revenues (goal 1), which will go to
fishermen’s wages, their families and communities.

The project will take up one semester of which we will stay in Tanzania for 1,5 months. The project
will start with an extensive research (interviews, desk research and creative sessions) about the
needs of the fishermen and the drying process. Followed up by developing prototypes and testing
them in context. All insights will be used to develop a final prototype and business model. A new
drying installation or station can potentially ensure new jobs (goal 8), but only if it doesn’t exclude
the current women’s’ employment.