Foundation equips Zanzibar seaweed farmers to boost blue economy
The Zanzibar Maisha Bora Foundation has distributed farming equipment to seaweed farmers to improve production and market access. This initiative, supported by the Ministry of Blue Economy, aims to empower women and youth in the region.
Why it matters
Investing in sustainable local industries like seaweed farming is a key strategy for economic development and poverty reduction in coastal communities.
Zanzibar. The Zanzibar Maisha Bora Foundation (ZMBF), with financial support from The Big Heart Foundation, has distributed seaweed farming equipment to farmers in Uzi and Muungoni shehias to increase production, improve quality and strengthen market access.
The equipment was provided under the Seaweed Social Enterprise Project (SESEP), which is being implemented through a contract farming model aimed at addressing challenges such as limited access to production inputs, high production costs and unreliable markets.
The pilot phase is benefiting about 200 farmers, including 175 women (88 percent) and 25 men (12 percent). The project also targets youth, with 51 beneficiaries aged between 15 and 35.
In addition to the equipment, beneficiaries will receive training in modern seaweed farming techniques, quality control, post-harvest handling, value addition and market access to improve the competitiveness of Zanzibar's seaweed in local and international markets.
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