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This study focused on assessing the impacts of seaweed farming on household income in Zanzibar. The study specifically, was set to meet three objectives, namely; assessing the status of seaweed farming, identify main players in seaweed farming and assessing the contribution of seaweed farming in households' income. A sample size of 75 respondents' method was employed. The Study was conducted in Matemwe Ward in Zanzibar and it employed a descriptive cross-sectional survey research design. Data were gathered by using questionnaires for seaweed farmers and face to face interviews for the government officials and seaweed companies as well. Data were then analyzed by using both qualitative and quantitative methods.
The study has revealed that, seaweed farmers gain/earn between Tsh 90,000 and 150,000 from seaweed farming in a month. It has also been observed that, seaweed farmers, extension agricultural officers and officers from the Department of Fisheries were the main stakeholders in activity. The study has also revealed that, seaweed farming contributed a lot in improving the life standard of people. For example, farmers enabled to meet their daily basic needs like food and clothes. Moreover, seaweed farming enabled to improve social services around the study area like roads, schools and water supply. It has been observed that, seaweed production has been facing some challenges such as low prices of the produce, measuring of seaweed, climate changes, lack of support from seaweed buyers and the government as well as seaweed pests and diseases.
The study hence recommends that, the government should endeavor to support farmers of seaweed production and supervise fair prices. On the same line, the government is urged to provide education on the appropriate ways to handle seaweed so as to fetch good produce. |
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