Zanzibar seaweed growers seek research on disease affecting crop

Zanzibar seaweed growers seek research on disease affecting crop

Unguja. Seaweed farmers have reported that their crops are under attack by diseases, prompting them to appeal to the government and other stakeholders to do research in order to identify the main cause of the problem.

Speaking during a meeting involving development partners from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the University of Dar es Salaam, and the Planning College on July 20, 2024, the farmers emphasized that if such diseases persist, there is a risk of losing direction in the seaweed farming industry.

For a considerable period, they have been grappling with diseases that prevent seaweed from growing, thus significantly reducing productivity.

Simni Haji, a seaweed farmer in Uroa Ward, lamented that they purchase seaweed seeds in good condition, but upon planting them in their fields, the seeds break into small pieces and eventually rot.

“We urgently request research on the causes affecting this crop; we are suffering losses because the seeds are rotting. Despite buying them in good condition, they fail to germinate. This issue has persisted for a long time,” he said.

Fatma Ali Rajabu, another seaweed grower from Chwaka Ward, noted that their village is affected by seaweed diseases, leading some farmers to completely abandon growing the crop.

Another seaweed grower, Ali Abdalla Ali, also Chwaka Ward, suggested initial steps should include exploring the possibility of providing alternative seeds to determine if the current seeds are causing the diseases.

He also appealed to agricultural experts in seaweed farming to regularly inspect their farms to determine the disease affecting the seaweed crop so that prompt action can be taken.

Further, the farmers requested for an increase in the price of seaweed, citing high farming costs such as purchasing stakes for planting a load of seaweed at Sh7000, one seed at Sh1000, and rope, resulting in losses instead of profits.

Christopher Mhando, Director of Blue Economy Coordination, explained that the purpose of meeting with seaweed farmers and sea cucumber and sea sponge breeders was to expand their operations to more beneficial areas.

He added that the government had deployed experts to assist seaweed and sea cucumber farmers including sea sponge breeders in overcoming various challenges affecting their activities.

Chief Fisheries Officer Mohammed Soud, from the Department of Fisheries Development and Marine Products, stressed the need for joint cooperation to eliminate illegal fishing, which contributes to the disappearance of certain fish species and increases the presence of pests that harm the seaweed crop.

“The government acknowledges the challenge posed by seaweed prices, which is why it is establishing the Chwamanangwe Pemba station to create price competition that will benefit both government and private companies, ultimately uplifting seaweed farmers across the country,” he said.

Veronika Sigalla from UNDP highlighted that the objective of meeting with the seaweed farmers was to explore ways to grow their crops internationally and enhance their value.

She emphasized that the seaweed growers play a crucial role in utilizing the sea, urging them to conserve the marine environment for greater benefits.

An Agriculture Coordinator, Dr. Banamas Mbasa, acknowledged the challenges in the quality of seaweed drying processes and announced plans for specialized training to educate farmers on improving drying methods to avoid quality issues and reduce market price fluctuations.

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Tanzania's opposition party ACT Wazalendo honours veteran politician under new policy
Tanzania Foreign Investment News
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Tanzania’s opposition party ACT Wazalendo honours veteran politician under new policy

Unguja. Opposition party ACT Wazalendo today officially bids farewell to its former Chairman, Juma Duni Haji, also known as Babu Duni, as part of a new policy designed to honor retired senior leaders at a ceremony held at Kiembesamaki, Zanzibar.

The initiative highlights the party’s commitment to recognizing and supporting individuals who have served with dedication and integrity.

Babu Duni, who stepped down earlier this year, was succeeded by Othman Masoud, now the First Vice President of Zanzibar.

The policy aims to provide ongoing respect and support to retired leaders, ensuring their continued recognition and contribution to the party’s development.

“Recognizing their significant contributions to the development and prosperity of the party, this policy ensures that retired leaders continue to be acknowledged and respected by both the party and the community,” the policy states.

To benefit from this policy, leaders must not have left or been expelled from the party. They must have served the party with honor and dedication. The national leadership committee will determine whether a leader has fulfilled these criteria.

The policy seeks to honor retired leaders, protect their dignity, acknowledge their contributions, leverage their ideas for the party’s growth, and support them to the best of the party’s ability.

In honoring these leaders, the party will provide a vehicle, the type of which will be determined by the national leadership committee. Additionally, they will receive a monthly allowance, with the amount also set by this committee.

Other benefits include health insurance. If a leader does not own a home, the party will cover their rent at a rate decided by the committee.

The leadership committee may also grant special recognition based on the leader’s contributions. Retired leaders will participate in decision-making meetings according to procedures outlined in the party’s constitution.

Depending on the party’s resources at the time, the policy may also apply to retired deputy chairpersons for both the mainland and Zanzibar, the Secretary-General, Deputy Secretary-General for both mainland and Zanzibar, and the party’s Attorney General.

Additionally, leaders, executives, or members with exceptional contributions to the party’s protection, advocacy, and defense may also benefit, as determined by the leadership committee.

Currently, those who are eligible for benefits under this policy include Juma Duni Haji (retired party Chairman) and Zitto Kabwe (retired party leader).Continue Reading

Britam half-year net profit hits Sh2bn on higher investment income
Tanzania Foreign Investment News
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Britam half-year net profit hits Sh2bn on higher investment income

Insurer and financial services provider Britam posted a 22.5 percent jump in net earnings for the half-year ended June 2024, to Sh2 billion, buoyed by increased investment income.

The rise in half-year net profit from Sh1.64 billion posted in a similar period last year came on the back of net investment income rising 2.5 times to Sh13.27 billion from Sh5.3 billion.

“We are confident in the growth and performance trend that Britam has achieved, supported by its subsidiaries in Kenya and the region. Our business is expanding its revenue base while effectively managing costs,” Britam Chief Executive Officer Tom Gitogo said.

“Our customer-centric approach is fueling growth in our customer base and product uptake, particularly through micro-insurance, partnerships, and digital channels.”

The investment income growth was fueled by interest and dividend income rising 34 percent to Sh9.1 billion, which the insurer attributed to growth in revenue and the gains from the realignment of the group’s investment portfolio.

Britam also booked a Sh3.79 billion gain on financial assets at a fair value, compared with a Sh1.8 billion loss posted in a similar period last year.

The increased investment income helped offset the 12.7 percent decline in net insurance service result to Sh2.13 billion in the wake of claims paid out rising at a faster pace than that of premiums received.

Britam said insurance revenue, which is money from written premiums, increased to Sh17.8 billion from Sh16.6 billion, primarily driven by growth in the Kenya insurance business and regional general insurance businesses, which contributed 30 percent of the revenue.

The group has a presence in seven countries in Africa namely Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, South Sudan, Mozambique, and Malawi.

Britam’s insurance service expense hit Sh13.6 billion from Sh11.3 billion, while net insurance finance expenses rose 2.6 times to Sh12.3 billion during the same period.

“Net insurance finance expenses increased mainly due to growth in interest cost for the deposit administration business driven by better investment performance. This has also been impacted by a decline in the yield curve, which has led to an increase in the insurance contract liabilities. The increase has been offset by a matching increase in fair value gain on assets,” said Britam.

Britam’s growth in profit is in line with that of other Nairobi Securities Exchange-listed insurers, which have seen a rise in profits.

Jubilee Holdings net profit in the six months increased by 22.7 percent to Sh2.5 billion on increased income from insurance, helping the insurer maintain Sh2 per share interim dividend.

CIC Insurance Group posted a 0.64 percent rise in net profit to Sh709.99 million in the same period as net earnings of Liberty Kenya nearly tripled to Sh632 million from Sh213 million, while Sanlam Kenya emerged from a loss to post a Sh282.2 million net profit.

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