Published Paper Details:

Seaweed farming activities is regarded as hub that provides income to most of the coastal communities especially women in Zanzibar. Tanzania is the third exporter of seaweed in the world whereby women contributes 80% of seaweed productions. The study was carried out in the east coastal of Zanzibar with the aim of examining how seaweed farming activities improve the livelihoods of women in the east coastal of Zanzibar specifically at Bwejuu and Paje villages. The study also identified the methods used in seaweed farming; and determined the common uses of seaweed. The study collected data through literature review, interviews and questionnaire survey. Sixty women were randomly selected from both Bwejuu and Paje villages. Collected data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and content analysis. The study revealed that, women improved their livelihoods which impacted their families and communities as well. Other findings depicted that, women produced 412 tons of seaweed in the year 2015/16 which is equivalent to 80% while men produced only 103 tons equivalent to 20% of total seaweed productions. Majorities of women 49% were reported to earn more than 900,000 TZS from seaweed farming activities and 76% of them were able to pay school fees for their children in the year of 2015/16. On accounting women livelihoods aspects it was also reported that, between the years of 2012-15 eleven (11) houses were constructed by women while two (2) houses were bought and forty nine (49) houses were repaired. Women were able to subscribe their basic needs simply because they earned money from seaweed farming activities. Further results identified line or off bottom and deep water floating as methods used in seaweed farming. Finally results reported the common uses of seaweed are; food, agar, cosmetics, medicines, minerals and fertilizers. Seaweed farming activities is found a key way to reach sustainable development goals (SDGs) before 2030 as put by United Nations especially target one and eight of ending poverty and stabilizing economic growth among communities. It is recommended that integration and considerations of seaweed farming and processing systems in both governmental and development partners policies is necessary not only for women empowerment but for the country sustainability and development especially in Zanzibar archipelago.