(Zanzibar) – Residents of Donge Jangwani, Zanzibar, are voicing concerns about losing their farmland to sand mining operations, with some accusing the government of ignoring their plight, despite officials claiming no harm to farmers.
In Donge Jangwani, a farming community in the North Region of Zanzibar, residents are expressing frustration over the loss of their agricultural land to sand mining operations. For years, farmers have relied on the fertile land to cultivate crops like potatoes, rice, and vegetables. However, the land they once farmed is now being excavated for sand without their consent, leaving many without a source of income.
According to the farmers, the affected land has been in their possession since the Zanzibar Revolution in 1964. One local, Yussuf Omar Juma, shared that his farm has now been taken over by others who are mining sand, a situation that has left him and his family in financial hardship. The land was essential to their livelihood, but now, it is no longer suitable for farming.
Juma expressed his dismay, stating, “The government encourages us to protect the land for the environment’s sake, but ironically, those who cut down trees for mining are treated better than those trying to preserve the land. Our cry for justice is still unanswered. The government should take action against those responsible for this.”
Other farmers are struggling to cope with the situation. A local farmer, Mzee Yussuf, said that in rural areas, when the government is involved, the community often feels powerless to protest or pursue solutions. “When people are told that something is being done by the government, they lose the courage to follow up. All we can do is accept it quietly while we suffer,” he explained.
The situation has grown dire for many. The land, once fertile, is now being dug up for sand, and residents no longer have space to grow food. The government has stated that no farmers have been negatively affected by the mining. However, locals disagree, pointing out that their fields are now unusable for agriculture.
Farmers also voiced concerns about the lack of consultation before sand mining began. Solo Shija Luhende, another local farmer, mentioned that his farm, which grew potatoes, was being dug up for sand. “During harvest season, how will we transport our crops? The roads have been destroyed. We used to pay a fee of Sh5,000 to transport our goods, but now it is impossible because the route we used has been ruined by the sand mining.”
Luhende, like others, is worried that the mining will further disrupt their lives. Previously, these farms supported the local economy by growing crops for trade, but now, without proper roads or space for farming, the situation is bleak.
Another farmer, Yussuf Kassim Iddi, shared that his farm, where he grew rice and vegetables, was also being mined for sand. Iddi believes that the mining operations lack transparency, and farmers were not consulted before the land was taken for mining purposes. “We were not even informed about the mining. There was no meeting with the government or any formal agreement,” he said.
Iddi called for the government to review the sand mining process and ensure that farming areas are not being destroyed without proper assessment. He urged the authorities to consider the impact on both the local environment and the farmers who depend on the land for their livelihoods.
Zahor Abdalla Mzee, the Sheha of Donge Mbiji, acknowledged the complaints from the farmers and confirmed that the issue had been raised with the government for further action. According to reports, the sand mining began four months ago, but no proper procedures were followed, leaving the community in limbo. Many have lost their primary source of income and have been left without proper alternatives.
In an attempt to clarify the situation, Othman Ame, a person believed to be involved in the sand mining operation, denied the accusations. He stated that the government had authorized the mining and that no private individuals were responsible for the excavation. Ame explained that before sand can be mined in an area, a permit is obtained from the government after a thorough assessment.
Ame further emphasized that any sand mining activities are conducted by the government, with landowners receiving a percentage of the proceeds. However, he claimed that no one had approached him with complaints, and suggested that any questions regarding the matter should be directed to the relevant government officials.
The District Commissioner for North B Zanzibar, Hamid Seif Said, visited the area and promised to address the concerns raised by the community. However, Said is currently on leave, and in his absence, the Acting District Commissioner for North A Zanzibar, Othman Ali Maulid, stated that he could not provide further details without first visiting the site himself.
When approached, Shaame Khamis Shamata, the Minister of Agriculture, Irrigation, Natural Resources, and Livestock for Zanzibar, was unaware of the issue, but pledged to investigate the matter. She assured that the situation would be looked into to ensure the rights of the affected farmers were respected.
Shaibu Hassan Kaduara, the Minister of Water, Energy, and Minerals for Zanzibar, denied the claims that farmers had been affected. He clarified that the government had temporarily suspended the sand mining operation. According to Kaduara, the mining activities had initially begun but were halted after the farmers expressed their concerns.
Despite the government’s stance, the affected farmers in Donge Jangwani remain frustrated and are calling for an end to the sand mining activities that have disrupted their lives. They hope the government will step in to enforce proper regulations and protect their land.