Progress report for
Raising awareness about marine conservation and sustainable resource management and creating independent small businesses by developing aquaculture techniques in order to reduce poverty in Zanzibar
Achievement at a glance
Sponge farming development<br>A new sponge farm requires 2500-3000 seedlings. Therefore, in 2017 we more than doubled space and stock in the nursery farm. The larger nursery allows us to launch 6-8 independent small-scale businesses per year, benefitting 60-80 people. Currently, a new trainee is starting every two months while a senior trainee completes their training with a certificate and a farm, ready to continue as an independent entrepreneur.
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<br>The local market is developed gradually to ensure that the increasing production finds its buyers. However, the demand for sustainably cultivated sponges in Zanzibar is high and new shops must join the waiting list until the farmers can guarantee a continuous supply.
<br>We are continuously expanding and improving the training. During the probation time a fresh intern is first trained by one of the independent farmers. This approach takes pressure off our local trainer, gives trainees the opportunity to get early on-the job experience and benefits sponge farmers with an extra pair of hands.
Challenges faced in implementation
For 2018 we plan to train and hire a second local trainer and to create a teaching manual in Kiswahili. A manual is essential for transferring training knowledge along with autonomous operations and development of the sponge farming business to local people.Next Steps
Our next challenge is to turn the nursery farm into an independent business to guarantee ongoing scaling of the project. Micro financing models must be established to ensure that basic equipment and training can be provided without subsidies.Beneficiaries
Coastal population of Zanzibar, mainly single mothers