By The Respondents Reporter
Zanzibar is moving to give organic farming a stronger institutional footing, with the government planning to establish a dedicated unit to coordinate the sector and considering including organic inputs in its agricultural subsidy programme.
President Hussein Ali Mwinyi said on Wednesday the measures were part of wider efforts to raise agricultural productivity while protecting soil, water resources and the environment.
Dr Mwinyi said the government would continue investing in production infrastructure, modern farming technologies, irrigation, affordable credit and markets to help farmers increase food production at lower costs.
He made the remarks on September 23, 2026, when he opened the third Zanzibar Organic Festival at Dole Kizimbani in the West “A” District.
“The government will continue investing in the agricultural sector by improving production infrastructure, promoting modern technologies and irrigation systems, as well as expanding access to affordable credit and markets,” Dr Mwinyi said.
Zanzibar has already launched its Organic Agriculture Strategy, he said, directing the Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation, Natural Resources and Livestock to begin the process of establishing a dedicated organic agriculture unit.
The unit is expected to provide coordination for organic farming activities, as the government seeks to promote production methods that reduce pressure on natural resources while improving food security.
Dr Mwinyi also directed the ministry to assess the possibility of incorporating organic agricultural inputs into the government’s existing input subsidy programme.
The move could help address one of the challenges facing farmers seeking to adopt organic production methods, although the government will first have to determine how such inputs can be incorporated into the subsidy system.
The President stressed the importance of using agricultural inputs safely and appropriately, saying increased production should go hand in hand with protecting consumers’ health and the environment.
He said the government’s agricultural strategy was aimed not only at increasing food supplies but also at maintaining soil fertility and protecting water sources.
Dr Mwinyi also called for stronger links between Zanzibar’s farmers and the tourism industry, urging hotels, restaurants and food suppliers to buy more produce from local farmers through the farm-to-table system.
The approach, he said, could create reliable markets for farmers while increasing their incomes and enabling the tourism sector to source more food locally.
For Zanzibar, where tourism is a major part of the economy, stronger local supply chains could also create a closer connection between agricultural production and the island’s expanding hospitality industry.
The Zanzibar Organic Festival 2026 is being held under the theme “Think Globally, Eat Naturally” and brings together farmers and other stakeholders to exchange knowledge, technologies and practical approaches to sustainable food production.
The festival also seeks to promote wider adoption of farming methods that support food production while conserving natural resources.
During the event, Dr Mwinyi presented awards to stakeholders and sponsors supporting agricultural development in Zanzibar.
He was also presented with an honorary award recognising his leadership and contribution to the development of the agricultural sector in Zanzibar.