(Zanzibar) – Seaweed farmers in Buyu, Zanzibar, are facing challenges accessing their farms due to blocked pathways, which is impacting their ability to transport their harvests and threatening their livelihoods.
Farmers in Buyu, a coastal area in the Mjini Magharibi region of Zanzibar, are raising concerns about the lack of access to their farms, which has become a major barrier to their livelihood. The situation is especially challenging for seaweed farmers, who rely on well-maintained routes to transport their harvests to markets. The blocked pathways have created difficulties, forcing farmers to navigate through dangerous and unclear routes, which is posing a significant risk to their safety.
In addition to the access issues, farmers are also concerned about the threat of being removed from the area. Some have reported receiving threats from individuals claiming that the land they use for farming lies within the jurisdiction of the Zanzibar Fire and Rescue Brigade (Kikosi cha Zimamoto na Uokozi), leading to fears of eviction. These concerns were voiced during a visit by Shaabani Ali Othman, the Minister of Blue Economy and Fisheries, on November 16, 2024. Othman visited Buyu to meet with local leaders and officials from the Fire and Rescue Brigade to discuss the situation and explore possible solutions.
Zainabu Hussein Ali, a local seaweed farmer, shared her struggles with navigating the blocked pathways. She explained that during harvest season, farmers are forced to use unsafe and unmarked routes to transport their goods, putting both their lives and their crops at risk. “There is no proper way for us to pass, the route we rely on has been blocked. Now, we have to go around large rocks and thick bushes. The only way to pass is through private property, with narrow paths and fences,” she said.
Following discussions with farmers, Minister Othman suggested that the Fire and Rescue Brigade work on creating a clear pathway to allow farmers to carry out their activities safely. The minister reassured the farmers that there was no need to worry about eviction, as talks had been held with the appropriate authorities, and their right to continue farming had been confirmed.
Mrisho Iddi Mbaraka, the Deputy Commissioner of the Fire and Rescue Brigade, acknowledged the advice and assured that they would work on the solution. “We will take action to create a clear pathway for the farmers to ensure their safety while they carry out their seaweed drying activities and other daily tasks,” he said.
Fatma Rashid Juma, the councilor of Chukwani ward, supported the idea of creating a reliable path. She noted that not only would it benefit the farmers, but it would also serve the wider community by improving access for other daily activities. “This step will help reduce unnecessary conflicts and bring the community together,” she added.
Juma also encouraged the farmers to collaborate in finding solutions to the challenges in the area. Meanwhile, Ramadhan Khamis, the Chairman of the Chukwani Fishing Committee, urged the farmers to take responsibility for maintaining the new path once it is created, to prevent any security issues in the area.