Value chain analysis of seaweed in Zanzibar

This study intends to analyse value chain of seaweed in Zanzibar. The study generally is focusing to analyse value chain in seaweed, also to identify core processes and activities conducted in the seaweed value chain, to determine costs and profits in the seaweed value chain and to identify the constraints and opportunities in the seaweed value chain. Also the findings of this study indicated value chain of seaweed involved stages of farming, harvesting, processing and retails. Farming stage involved activities of farm setup, planting of seeds and farm care. In the harvesting stage activities involved such as harvesting, transporting and drying. Processing stage comprised of semi-processing of dried seaweed into seaweed powder and processing of seaweed powder into various value-added products such as seaweed soap and massage oil. Seaweed farming process involved various cost like material cost, transport cost and drying cost. At the level of processing stage, processors incurred the costs of materials and labour. The study also depicted that, seaweed farmers obtained a profit loss due to the low selling price of dry seaweed compared to the high operating costs they incurred on farming whereas seaweed processors have obtained a profit gain. The key constraints that facing seaweed value chain revealed in this study included the lack of financial support, the low price during the selling of raw seaweed for farmers, the presence of many taxes, low capacity of technology and seaweed die-off. The opportunities available in the seaweed value chain included; the possibility of farm expansion, availability of both farming and processing materials and presence of markets. The study recommends that, it is necessary for the government and other stakeholders concern should provide financial and technological support to farmers and local seaweed processors. To organise farmers into groups and forming saving and Credit Groups as a means of accessing credits within the village. The government should intervene in the pricing process as private companies monopolise the price. Provide health services in the villages to help farmers to get timely treatment in case of diseases related to seaweed farming activities and lastly, putting more efforts on processing seaweed rather than selling raw dried seaweed