Z’bar young entrepreneurs to unveil organic farm products
Fruit jams at different stages of packaging. Zanzibar youth are expected to introduce such products in the market in the near future. PHOTO | FILE
What you need to know:
One of the producers, Mr Haji Makame, told The Citizen that they were finalising registration processes before releasing their products for both local and international markets.
Dar es Salaam. Organic tomatoes, pineapples, watermelons and mixed jams produced by Zanzibar youth groups will be released into the market in the near future.
One of the producers, Mr Haji Makame, told The Citizen that they were finalising registration processes before releasing their products for both local and international markets.
“We have already submitted applications for registration of our brands to the Zanzibar Bureau of Standards. We have already paid all regulatory fees and they have promised us that certificates will be issued soon,” said the 25-year-old entrepreneur.
He further disclosed that the Tanzania Food and Drugs Authority (TFDA) was also checking the quality of the products for certification.
According to Mr Makame, besides generating income, the project is also in line with the government’s industrialisation drive. They are looking forward to producing 200 cans of jam daily.
“We have received capacity building training at Mbweni Youth Training College in Zanzibar and we are currently processing jams using their machines,” he said.
However, he said they were looking for at least $6,500 (about Sh14.8 million) funding to buy jam processing machines from Kenyan manufacturers.
A senior youth officer at the Ministry of Youth, Culture, Arts and Sports (Zanzibar), Ms Seilla Mwinyi, hailed the government for its unwavering support for the youth in the Isles.
“We are currently designing a programme for establishing a revolving fund for youth, who are innovative, to access interest-free credit,” said Ms Mwinyi. The Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) senior officer for East Africa, Mr Mohamed Al-Wahir, said the UN agency has been providing technical support for young people to create more jobs through innovative agribusinesses.
