Baseline socio-economic studies on 1989 pilot villages: Mangotsonya and Ayetepa

Abstract

Background socio-economic studies were conducted on two typical coastal fishing villages, Mangotsonya and Ayetepa, the two pilot villages chosen for the 1989 Artisanal fish processing training course. The study examined the area characteristics, basic amenities and fish smoking in these villages. In general the standard of living was found to be low in both villages. Poor village planning, poor sanitary conditions, lack of basic amenities and poverty have contributed to the this state of affairs. The women were however found to be hardworking, with their main occupation being fish smoking, while farming is taken up during lean fishing season. They also play a major role in fish distribution and marketing. It is believed that simple intervention programmes namely family planning, credit facilities, education and the like would have profound positive effect on their standard of living