Women in the east coastal of Zanzibar have been conducting seaweed farming for decades; the activity has made them advance their livelihoods. Seaweed farming improve the livelihoods of women in the east coastal area of Zanzibar specifically at Bwejuu and Paje villages.

Today there are 50 products that farmers produce including liquid soaps, shampoos, and foods such as seaweed juice, cakes, cookies, salad and jam. Farmers sell these products at higher prices than the raw unprocessed seaweed. Value addition has indeed increased seaweed farmers’ income and improved their livelihoods.

There are Two types of seaweed available in Zanzibar

• Eucheuma Cottonii ( Sea Bird Nest)
• Spinosum

Eucheuma Cottonii Seaweed or Sea Bird Nest

it is a type of coral grass and can be categorize as a type of seaweeds as well. It is a valuable gift from the ocean that grown naturally in the sea and usually contain no artificial fertilizer and no bleaching chemical for natural and premium grade.Nutritionists recommend it is best to consume bird’s nest soup on an empty stomach, which is usually in the morning when first waking up or in the evening before bedtime. About 1 hour into sleeping, concentrations of different hormones are increased allowing the nutrients to be absorbed into the body better.

Eucheuma Spinosum

commonly known as gusô, is a seaweed algae that may be brown, red, or green in color. … Since the mid-1970s, Kappaphycus and Eucheuma have been a major source for the expansion of the carrageenan industry.

How Local Community Benefited from the Seaweed farming Project in Zanzibar?

Managing to Pay School Fees for Their Children

Seaweed farming activities have made women at Bwejuu and Paje villages to earn enough money which helped them to fulfill their basic needs including paying school fee, uniforms and excises books, buying food and other basic needs for their children and families in totality. Due to domination of the patriarchy system in Zanzibar, few women especially those who are engaged in seaweed farming, can be able to ascribe their basic needs without depending on their male counter parts. Seaweed farming has made women in Zanzibar to participate in some decision-making activities at household level and increase the level of equality.

It increase their Source of Money

Currently, there are more than twenty products that women produce from seaweed, these includes liquid soaps, shampoos, and foods such as seaweed juice, cakes, cookies, salad and jam, all these products have made women to improve their livelihoods. Women sell these products at higher prices than the raw unprocessed seaweed. Value addition has indeed  increased the income of women and improved their livelihoods.

Health Benefits of Seaweed

Seaweed Contains Protective Antibiotics

It containing the antioxidant vitamins A, C and E, seaweed boasts a wide variety of beneficial plant compounds, including flavonoids and carotenoids. These have been shown to protect your body’s cells from free radical damage.

It Improve your Health

Seaweed contains fiber and sugars, both of which can be used as food sources for the bacteria in your gut. This fiber can also increase the growth of “good” bacteria and nourish your gut.

It help to Loose Weight

Seaweed may help you lose weight because it contains few calories, filling fiber and fucoxanthin, which contributes to an increased metabolism.

It Reduce Heart Disease

Seaweed may help reduce your cholesterol, blood pressure and risk of blood clots, but more studies are needed.

We introduce Seaweed Farming Tour In Zanzibar for Supporting and learning more with real example how they harvest and produce food, juices, soaps and other different product, If you would like to join this tour you can book here.