Seaweed farmers disappointed with production – study

DAR ES SALAAM: MORE than 70 per cent of seaweed farmers in Mainland Tanzania are dissatisfied with production levels due to market challenges, climate change impacts, and limited access to technology, a new study has found.

The 2026 study on Tanzania’s seaweed value chain  by Senior Lecturer-College of Agriculture and Food Technology (University of Dar es Salaam) Robert Eliakim Katikiro and Dr Angelina Michael Senior, Lecturer in the College of Natural and Mathematical Sciences, (University of Dodoma) shows that although women dominate the sector, many continue to face challenges that limit productivity, income, and their ability to benefit from the growing blue economy.

The research found that more than 70 per cent of people engaged in seaweed production provide labour on farms rather than owning the farms themselves, while only 12 per cent participate in value addition activities due to limited access to capital, equipment and processing skills.

Katikiro said women’s contribution to seaweed farming has not been matched by equal access to resources and opportunities.

“Women’s significant contribution to seaweed production has not been matched by ownership of resources, access to financial services and participation in decision-making, limiting the economic benefits they receive,”  Katikiro said in his study.

Furthermore, the study identified market constraints, effects of climate change, limited technology, and low participation in business decisions as among the factors affecting the sector’s performance.

A Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) report says that seaweed farmers are not involved in value addition, while 82.9 per cent do not keep production records.

On the other hand, statistics at FAO also have that more than half of seaweed farmers have limited knowledge about the impact of climate change on seaweed production.

According to the report strengthening farmers skills in production processing and marketing particularly among women is key to increasing incomes and building resilience to climate change impacts.

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The findings come as Tanzania implements the 2024 National Blue Economy Policy, which identifies marine resources, including seaweed farming, as important contributors to economic growth, employment creation and improved livelihoods.

The policy promotes increased investment, research, innovation, technology use, value addition, and stronger cooperation between government institutions, the private sector, and development partners to expand blue economy activities.

The government also aims to strengthen markets for blue economy products while ensuring marine resources are used sustainably and protected for future generations.