The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has partnered with the United Republic of Tanzania and the Enhanced Integrated Framework (EIF) to improve the quality and standards of selected value chains in the Mainland and Zanzibar. As part of this project, UNDP has facilitated the procurement and delivery of 8 fiber boats and engines, as well as 16 swimming gears to support seaweed farming groups in Pemba, Zanzibar.

The handover event was graced by the Minister for Trade and Industrial Development, Hon. Omar S. Shaban, and attended by various stakeholders. The main objective of this initiative is to encourage the implementation of health and safety measures, ensure sustainability, increase productivity, and enable access to areas within the ocean that have more potential for seaweed farming in Pemba. The beneficiaries of this project included a total of 153 farmers, 118 of whom were women.

This initiative is expected to promote modern deep-sea farming techniques that are more efficient in productivity and less capital-intensive, as they give farmers the opportunity to access ocean nutrients without requiring weeding, pesticides, fertilisers, or any other resource-intensive micromanagement techniques. The beneficiaries of this project also received theoretical and practical training on the safety uses and basic maintenance of the boats, engines, and other accessories, including training sessions conducted at the ocean.

The Zanzibar Minister for Trade and Industrial Development, Hon. Omar S. Shaban, expressed his appreciation to the EIF and UNDP for providing support for the economic growth and prosperity of the people, with a focus on youth and women. He also highlighted the high potential of seaweed farming and processing in the domestic and international markets and its potential to create employment opportunities for women and youth while generating revenue for the government. UNDP's commitment to working with the government, private organizations, and civil society organisations to advance the government's efforts in lifting the economy and eradicating poverty, while adhering to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG’s) was also emphasized by Ali Shaib, a Finance Personnel speaking on behalf of the UNDP Resident Representative.