Project Grant Agreement Between the Republic of Djibouti and the United States of America for Fisheries Development Project
Grant is provided to the Government of Djibouti to create a viable system for harvesting, storing, and marketing fish. The Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries Division (FD) will implement the project with TA from USAID and the Government of France. Emphasis will be on reducing the constraints to marketing additional fish among the 125,000 poor in Djibouti's urban centers. To this end, six fish sales outlets will be established in secondary markets in Djibouti City and in markets at Ali-Sabieh and Dikhil for a total of eight outlets (including those in Obock and Tadjoura). A fish demonstration/education program will accompany the opening of each new outlet to promote increased acceptance and use of fish via radio broadcasts, fish preparation demonstrations, fish education lectures, and other experimental activities. Fish will be promoted for use as food in refugee camps, hospitals, and primary schools. Over 200 fishermen of Obock and Tadjoura will be instructed in improved use and repair of fishing gear. New equipment, such as nets, lines, and motors, and new methods of fish preservation, especially drying, will be introduced. The FD will establish a revolving credit fund to sell fishing gear and fish storage equipment (e.g., refrigerated chests and insulated fish boxes) to fishermen and merchants on a discounted basis. The fund will make subloans as follows: loans shall be repaid within 36 months; interest rates shall be at or near market rate; and a 25% down payment shall be required. Studies will be conducted to determine whether a fishing cooperative should be recreated. If created, the cooperative will offer benefits such as reduced prices on fishing gear to its 50 or more members and will eventually take over the administration of the credit fund. To improve fish handling in the interior, a flake ice machine/silo and generator will be located at Obock and the FD will organize a transport system to bring the fish to market. Two FD personnel will receive short-term participant training in marketing, two in cooperative management, and one in fisheries development. Amendment of 5/1/81 extends project 18 months to due to delays and provides additional funding to cover U.S. and Djiboutian inflation and to finance commodities, equipment, and construction for new project components, including: (1) establishment of facilities for small-scale boat building/repair and purchase of small craft; (2) provision of a flake-ice machine and/or related commodities to the fisheries development program at Tadjoura; and (3) implementation of a pilot oyster cultivation program. (PD-AAG-749).