Established in 2005, Innovative Fish Farmers Network Trust (IFFNT) is a nationwide fish-farmer membership organisation which advances the interests of farmers in the aquaculture sector.

Contact: Facebook

Improve Producer Technical and Management Capacity for Product Aggregation and Access to Better Markets through Improved Smallholder Farmer Organisation

The project demonstrated to aquaculture smallholders how working together as organised producer hubs can effectively lower the cost of production, ease access to markets and services, and strengthen their lobbying capacity.

The 18-month partnership (September 2020 to March 2022) built smallholder capacity by organising 1,528 farmers and linking them to buyers. Twenty-five hubs were established, each with a savings and loan fund called the Hub Bank. In each region, two value-addition units were established, where Frismo kiln ovens were built for smoking fish. Farmers were taught how to process fish to add value and extend the shelf life of the fish. At a total cost of £107,366, CASA contributed £77,455 in technical assistance and a grant.

Advocacy on Tax Reforms

A second project strengthened the capacity of IFFNT to present the case for a tax waiver on feed imports. At a total cost of £38,736, CASA contributed £31,291 in technical assistance and a grant.

IFFNT secured a significant policy reform achievement around import taxation on fish feed and fish production equipment, as a result of the CASA-supported study and policy brief that strengthened their advocacy efforts. In addition, the IFFNT developed a five-point policy toolkit, which continues to guide its advocacy for improved operating environment in the sector and has been formally incorporated into the new Fisheries and Aquaculture Strategic Plan.

Updated: July 2025