Clove farmers in Pemba are set to benefit from greater security and increased earnings as Zanzibar President, Dr. Hussein Ali Mwinyi, officially launched the distribution of land for clove farms.
The initiative is expected to strengthen farmers’ control over their land and stimulate local economic growth.
Speaking at the Wete Conference Hall, Dr. Mwinyi said the move comes after years of challenges for farmers who managed government clove farms.
“Many farmers were unable to earn full value from their crops because farms were often leased to others during harvest. This discouraged proper farm management and reduced productivity,” he noted.
With the new land titles, farmers will now have clear legal ownership, helping to resolve disputes and giving them full authority over their farms.
“This is about empowering farmers to invest in their land, increase production, and secure their livelihoods,” the President said.
To complement the land distribution, the government is modernizing the clove marketing system through the Zanzibar State Trading Corporation (ZSTC).
A new “ZSTC Buying Mobile” service allows officials to purchase cloves directly from farmers on-site, providing instant payments.
The system also ensures timely payments through banks and digital platforms, removing previous barriers to fair trade.
The President also announced free distribution of clove seedlings to encourage new planting, alongside TZS 500 million set aside for loans and farm inputs to support farmers’ growth.
Dr. Mwinyi urged farmers to nurture their farms and maximize productivity, emphasizing that thriving clove farms contribute not only to individual livelihoods but also to the wider economy of Zanzibar.
He called on Regional Commissioners, District Commissioners, and local leaders to actively support the Ministry of Lands and Human Settlements Development in ensuring the smooth rollout of the land title program.
During the launch, Dr. Mwinyi handed over 19 land titles to farmers, representing many others who will receive theirs in future phases, signaling a new era of empowerment and growth for Pemba’s clove sector.