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| ZanzAdapt women farmers during fruit tree plant activity at Uzi in promoting establishment of new Agroforestry system |
By Najjat Omar
In Zanzibar, women farmers are finding ways to deal with the effects of climate change, which has made farming harder. Women in Uzi and Ng’ambwa villages are leading a new approach called “mixed farming,” where they grow different crops together. This method is giving them hope for more food, better income, and a secure future. Their determination to adapt and overcome challenges from climate change is inspiring neighboring communities to try similar techniques.
Zanzibar, like many places worldwide, is feeling the impacts of climate change. The island is experiencing rising sea levels, warmer weather, and less predictable rain, all of which make farming more difficult. Farming communities here also face the loss of mangroves, which are important for protecting the land from the sea and helping crops grow well. As climate change worsens, these farmers have fewer options to maintain their harvests, making their innovation in mixed farming even more critical.
According to the latest census, Uzi Village has 3,075 residents, with 1,510 women and 1,565 men. Many women here rely on farming, so when climate change affects their crops, it hits their families hard. Recently, over 400 women in Uzi, Ng’ambwa, Unguja Ukuu, and Bungi villages received seeds, fertilizers, and training for mixed farming, a new way to make farming more reliable despite changing weather patterns. This support from local organizations has been crucial in helping these women adapt to the challenges they face daily.
Aisha Abdallah Ahmed, a farmer in Uzi Village, feels positive about mixed farming. “The climate has damaged our farms, but now we have seeds, fertilizers, and knowledge to grow a variety of crops,” she shared. “I hope this new way of farming will bring more food and income for our families and community.” Aisha, who has recently shifted from fishing to farming, added, "This method allows us to spend more time on the farm, which could improve our harvests and earnings." Aisha’s success in adapting to these new techniques is inspiring other women in her village to try mixed farming as well.
In Ng’ambwa Village, farmer leader Amina Rashid is also hopeful about this change. “We’ve seen our crops produce less because of the climate,” she explained. “But mixed farming could help us grow more food and make more money." Amina believes that with strong support, mixed farming could really change their lives. "When we harvest more, we can earn more," she added. "This approach could help us provide better for our families, even with the changing climate.” As a leader, Amina is also dedicated to sharing her knowledge with other farmers to build a stronger, more resilient community.
It's not unusual to see more women ready to bring change in farming, as seen with Najjat Msimu Hassan,another farmer leader from Uzi, shared how determined the women are to keep farming despite the climate challenges. “The women here work so hard to adapt to climate change,” she said. “By planting trees and crops together, we can feed our families and improve our homes.” Najjat also mentioned how important it is for the government and organizations to support them. “We need more help to fight climate change,” she urged. “If we work together, we can find solutions to protect our farms and our future.” Najjat is optimistic that with additional support, these women can not only adapt to climate change but also set an example for other villages in Zanzibar.
The village chairperson from Uzi, Othman Mwinyi Haji, is proud of the women’s hard work, saying, “The women of Uzi and Ng’ambwa are leading the fight against climate change. In just two months, we’re already seeing improvements among women focused on mixed farming.” He believes that with ongoing support, these women’s success will continue to grow, benefiting the entire village.
Community Forest Pemba (CFP), a private organization supporting female farmers in their fight against climate change, also commends their efforts. Shaaban Robert, an officer with CFP, praised the dedication of the women in these villages, saying, “The women here are brave and focused on tackling climate change through farming.” He explained that climate change and rising sea levels have affected both fishing and farming, but the women have remained resilient. “We are here to provide support so they can continue growing food and earning a living,” he added. Shaaban is confident that mixed farming will help build a brighter future for these communities.
On the government side, Mwatima Abdallah, a Community Forest Officer with the Zanzibar Forest Department, emphasized the importance of education. “Women are the main farmers here,” she said. “If they have the right knowledge about mixed farming, they can truly make a difference.” Mwatima sees mixed farming as a practical solution for these women to confront climate change. “We’re focused on teaching them the skills they need,” she added, “so they can protect our land and ensure a better future.” She is hopeful that with ongoing training, these women can make lasting changes for themselves and future generations.
All this is made possible by the Zanzibar Women in Climate Adaptation (ZanzAdapt) project, which aims to support women in addressing the impacts of climate change through sustainable farming practices. The project is implemented by Community Forests International (CFI) and Community Forests Pemba (CFP) in collaboration with TAMWA. It is funded by Global Affairs Canada, which is dedicated to providing women with education, resources, and financial support to improve their livelihoods through mixed farming and other climate adaptation strategies.
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