(Unguja) – Women in Zanzibar are embracing mixed farming as a sustainable way to improve their livelihoods, protect the environment, and combat climate change, despite facing numerous challenges.
Women in Zanzibar, a region where agriculture supports 35% of the population and is vital for livelihoods, are increasingly engaging in mixed farming. This method combines crops and trees in the same area to maximize land use, protect the environment, and offer economic benefits. However, their efforts are hindered by cultural barriers, limited access to land, and inadequate financial resources.
Mixed farming offers practical solutions to limited land availability and environmental concerns. It enhances food security, improves soil quality, retains moisture, reduces wind erosion, and increases income through diversified produce, including potential revenue from beekeeping. Experts say it is a low-investment strategy that can also improve family nutrition.
Aisha Abdalla Ahmed, a farmer from Uzi, shared her optimism about mixed farming, saying it has helped improve both food and economic security. Similarly, Amina Rashid from Ng’ambwa said societal attitudes had previously discouraged women from farming. However, education is gradually changing perceptions, allowing women to cultivate cash and food crops simultaneously.
Najjat Msimu Hassan noted that women’s progress in farming requires male support, especially for labor-intensive tasks. Despite the benefits, challenges such as access to quality seeds and water persist. Some farmers, like Mtoro Simai Vuai, highlighted water scarcity as a major issue, urging for the construction of wells for irrigation.
A local leader, Othman Mwinyi Haji, pointed out environmental degradation as another challenge, with seawater increasingly encroaching on farmland due to mangrove deforestation. He emphasized the need for better infrastructure to support sustainable farming practices.
The Zanzibar Women Leadership in Adaptation project, supported by Global Affairs Canada, is addressing some of these issues. Led by organizations such as the International Forestry Association and TAMWA-Zanzibar, the initiative aims to reach 4,000 farmers, 80% of whom are women. The project provides high-quality seedlings, including bananas, pineapples, and avocados, and teaches modern farming techniques to adapt to climate change.
The government has also prioritized agricultural development in its 2024/25 budget, with plans to expand irrigation systems and promote the use of advanced farming technologies. The ultimate goal is to boost productivity, ensure food security, and conserve natural resources.
| Challenges Faced by Women Farmers | Proposed Solutions |
|---|---|
| Limited access to land and finances | Awareness campaigns and financial support initiatives |
| Scarcity of quality seeds and water | Provision of high-quality seeds and construction of wells |
| Environmental degradation | Reforestation and mangrove restoration efforts |