Overview:

MAVUNOLAB successfully unlocked Zanzibar’s seaweed industry by introducing low-cost solar dryers, improving the livelihoods of 60 women seaweed farmers in Bweleo and Pongwe villages. They provided efficient seaweed processing facilities, reducing spoilage and enhancing the quality of dried seaweed. This project has not only benefited the seaweed farmers but also trained 10 young technicians in solar-drying technology, promoting youth engagement and local capacity building. The solar dryers have also improved the quality of seaweed and reduced processing time, contributing to better livelihoods and economic opportunities for women seaweed farmers.   

The Challenge:

In Zanzibar, seaweed farming is a major source of income for over 20,000 women. Zanzibar is Africa's largest seaweed producer and a major global exporter. However, seaweed farmers face challenges after harvesting, which reduces the quality and amount of seaweed they produce. Many farmers lack good drying and processing facilities, making it hard for them to meet quality standards and benefit from the growing demand for seaweed. 

The Solution: MAVUNOLAB designed, developed, and deployed solar-powered seaweed drying facilities, enabling seaweed farmers to process seaweed in a clean and safe environment while also avoiding spoilage.   

Why this matters:

The availability of MAVUNOLAB solar-powered drying facilities improves the quality and value of dried seaweed, enabling seaweed farmers to earn more and leading to better livelihoods.   

Main outputs and achievements:

The project has directly benefited 60 women seaweed farmers in Bweleo and Pongwe villages in Unguja, Zanzibar, while also indirectly benefiting about 100 women seaweed farmers from neighboring villages who will be using MAVUNOLAB solar drying facilities to process and dry their seaweed. Each of the deployed MAVUNOLAB Solar driers can dry up to 250 kilograms (kgs) of seaweed per day, translating to 1000 kgs of seaweed per day for all four driers. The availability of these clean energy food processing facilities will improve postharvest seaweed management and enhance the quality of harvested seaweed, enabling seaweed farmers in Zanzibar to earn more when trading with international seaweed exporters. The project also trained 10 young technicians in solar-drying technology, promoting youth engagement and local capacity building. The solar dryers have also improved the quality of seaweed and reduced processing time, contributing to better livelihoods and economic opportunities for women seaweed farmers.   

Support the project:

Potential partners could support the project by providing funding for scaling up the production and distribution of MAVUNOLAB solar dryers, supporting the training of more young technicians in solar-drying technology, investing in research and development to further improve the efficiency and affordability of the solar dryers, and creating partnerships with seaweed farmers' associations and government agencies to expand the project's reach.

Lessons learned:

The project demonstrated the high demand for MAVUNOLAB solar-powered drying technologies in Zanzibar, indicating the need for scaling up the project. It also emphasized the importance of government support for the success and sustainability of the project. Additionally, the project underscored the need for adequate funding and project timelines to ensure effective implementation and impact assessment.