Zanzibar unveils plan to empower small farmers

Zanzibar. The government of Zanzibar has announced a major plan of establishing fruit and vegetable processing factories in a bid to create more markets for farmers.

The plan was unveiled by the Minister for Trade, Industry and Marketing in the Isles, Mr Nassor Ahmed Mazrui, while responding to questions raised by legislators in the ongoing House of Representative sessions.

He said, along with the plan, the government would establish a factory for handling lime products in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

Mr Mazrui said the anticipated industries would assure fruit and vegetable growers of reliable markets.

He also said, apart from boosting the country’s revenues, the move would increase employment opportunities amongst the youth majority of who were currently unemployed.

“The plan also seeks to address youth unemployment as it will create many jobs, particularly for youth graduating from our universities for whom we have set aside funds to help them,” said the minister.

However, the minister noted that the fruit and vegetable sector was experiencing a major challenge of low quality. He appealed for agricultural experts’ help to address the issue.

“If farmers will strive to improve quality, they stand a chance to win European markets,” he noted, adding:

“We have always strived to search for foreign markets for our farmers, but the lack of modern transportation and preservation equipment coupled with low quality of our produce, are major impediments.”