THE IMPACT OF SEAWEED FARMING ON THE SOCIOECONOMIC STATUS OF COASTAL COMMUNITIES IN ZANZIBAR, TANZANIA
Commercial seaweed farming in Tanzania is a sustainable industry that started in 1989 on the Islands of Zanzibar and in 1994-96 on the mainland. With the current production of 6,000 - 7,000 MT of dry seaweed per year, the industry has developed into an economically significant industry, contributing today nearly a quarter of Zanzibars exports. The industry has also changed the living standards of the farmers and the functioning of their communities. Studies have shown that women, who had previously depended on the men for household supplies, now make 90% of the seaweed farmers. With their seaweed cash income, these women now contribute significantly to the basic family needs. Extra cash pays school fees, buys clothes for themselves and children (even the husbands), and allows repairs of their houses. Recently, income was reduced, due to the preference for the more sensitive Kappaphycus alvarezii over the sturdier Eucheuma denticulatum by the phyco-colloid industry. In response, Tanzanian seaweed farmers have begun to produce seaweed value-added products that have increased their income (Table 1). Whereas until 2006 farmers in Zanzibar had only one product - dry seaweed, they now have five value added products. In the Kidoti village in northern Zanzibar, women farmers have in this way increased their income by 20% during the past 1.5 years. In the Bweleo village on the south west coast, a lady has become a seaweed buyer, buying seaweed from farmers and selling it to exporting companies. Such developments were attained through ZaSCI (Zanzibar
Seaweed Cluster Initiative-www.zasci.co.tz). Value addition on the farmed seaweed has been a dream of scientists, the government, and other stakeholders for over a decade. Men members of the farmers families are becoming more and more supportive to the efforts of the female members of the families, both by direct participation in the activities and by moral support. Such developments suggest a bright future for the Tanzanian seaweed industry, where the economics is bolstered by ecological sustainability and social benefits to the seaweed farmers. The seaweed industry promises competitive and innovative seaweed farmers improved social and economic lives.
Key words: Seaweed farming, socioeconomics
Seaweed Cluster Initiative-www.zasci.co.tz). Value addition on the farmed seaweed has been a dream of scientists, the government, and other stakeholders for over a decade. Men members of the farmers families are becoming more and more supportive to the efforts of the female members of the families, both by direct participation in the activities and by moral support. Such developments suggest a bright future for the Tanzanian seaweed industry, where the economics is bolstered by ecological sustainability and social benefits to the seaweed farmers. The seaweed industry promises competitive and innovative seaweed farmers improved social and economic lives.
Key words: Seaweed farming, socioeconomics