Farmers in Zanzibar are struggling with unreliable electricity, poor road conditions, and weak market access, according to a report from thecitizen.co.tz published on Wednesday.
The report, which cites local growers, highlights three main obstacles that are hampering agricultural work across the semi-autonomous islands. Farmers say that frequent power outages disrupt irrigation and processing activities, while deteriorated roads make it difficult to transport crops from fields to buyers.
Weak market systems compound these problems, leaving farmers with limited options to sell their produce at fair prices. The combination of these issues, thecitizen.co.tz reports, is putting pressure on the livelihoods of those who depend on farming for income.
The exact scale of the problem, including how many farmers are affected or which specific regions of Zanzibar face the worst conditions, was not detailed in the available summary. The report does not specify whether these complaints are new or part of a longer-running pattern of infrastructure shortfalls on the islands.
Zanzibar’s agricultural sector is a key part of the local economy, though the islands are also known for tourism. The challenges described by farmers could affect both domestic food supplies and export crops, but the report does not break down which types of farming are most impacted.
What remains unclear is whether authorities have responded to these complaints or announced any plans to address the power, road, and market gaps. Observers will likely watch for any official statements from Zanzibar’s government or agricultural agencies in the coming weeks.
