The Impact of Seaweed Farming on the Social and Economic Structure of Seaweed Farming Communities in Zanzibar, Tanzania
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Date
2006
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
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Publisher
ETI Bioinformatics
Abstract
The economic significance of seaweed farming was recognised in Tanzania in as
early as the 1950s when wild seaweed was exported from Zanzibar. Following the
collapse of export trade in the late 1970s, seaweed farming started on the Zanzibar
Islands in 1989. In this regard, the development of seaweed farming as a marine
resource was seen as an alternative source of income that could play an important
role in improving the living standards of the people in the areas. Before the
commencement of seaweed farming people relied more on subsistence farming,
small scale business (petty business trading) and fishing as their major sources of
income. After the commencement of seaweed farming, peoplesĀ“ economic activities
were replaced by seaweed farming as the major source of income, followed by
subsistence farming and small-scale business. Furthermore, studies have shown
that more women abandoned subsistence farming in favour of seaweed farming as
compared to men. Ownership of items such as radio cassettes, kitchenware,
furniture, and clothes increased significantly after the introduction of seaweed
farming. Other results include an increase in the number of bank accounts for the
respective villages, improved homes for the seaweed farmers, and a reduction on the
number of children suffering from malnutrition.
Description
Keywords
livelihood, seaweed price, seaweed production, marine export products, marketing arrangements, source of income, gender
Citation
Msuya F.E. 2006. The Impact of Seaweed Farming on the Social and Economic Structure of Seaweed Farming Communities in Zanzibar, Tanzania. In A.T. Critchley, M. Ohno & D.B. Largo (eds.) World seaweed resources: an authoritative reference system. Amsterdam, ETI BioInformatics.