KWALE: Kwale county government is seeking to boost seaweed farming operated by coastal communities along the shores of the Indian Ocean to enhance sustainable livelihoods. The various species of red, brown, and green seaweeds are cultivated by fishing communities for both domestic and industrial use, offering profitable opportunities.
According to Kenya News Agency, maritime industry stakeholders contend that seaweed, known as ‘climate-smart algae,’ plays an important role in the marine ecosystem as it absorbs significant amounts of carbon and reduces ocean acidification. However, global warming is reducing the quality of seaweed in the ocean. The weeds are celebrated as ‘wonder plants of the sea’ and offer a renewable source of food, energy, chemicals, and medicines with a wide range of applications in agriculture, biomedicine, and personal care industries.
Seaweed farming is practiced in seaside villages like Kibuyuni, Mwazaro, Mkwiro, Mtimbwani, Gazi, Nyumba Sita, Tumbe, Funzi, Changai, and Jimbo, where
it is a primary source of income. Coastal communities dive underwater to harvest the seaweeds and sell them dried or fresh, fetching between Sh 40 to Sh 60 per kilogram.
Roman Shera, the County Executive Committee Member In-Charge of Agriculture and Fisheries, says the devolved government is seeking to unlock seaweed’s potential for food sustainability. Shera emphasizes collaboration with farmers and key stakeholders to improve production and value addition, encouraging local fisherfolk to venture into seaweed farming to increase their incomes. He highlights Kwale as the pioneer county in seaweed farming, blessed with a rich coastal environment conducive to seaweed cultivation.
Shera describes seaweed farming as ‘Kwale’s untapped treasure’ and calls on local fisherfolk communities to explore this climate-friendly resource. He spoke at a training forum focused on restorative seaweed aquaculture for livelihood diversification and environmental benefits, supporting a promising sector with both local and export
potential.
Nancy Gitonga, CEO of the African Women Development Program, stresses equipping seaweed farmers with knowledge and skills to boost the burgeoning industry. She advocates for seaweed farming as a renewable resource offering stable income compared to the fluctuating fisheries markets affected by climate change. Gitonga calls for more support to local fishing communities through seaweed farming initiatives, aiming to empower coastal communities and create jobs.
Celestine Rono, Director of Corporate Services, Kenya Export Promotion and Branding Agency, assures farmers of collaboration to secure international markets for their produce. She envisions local coastal communities operating sea farms, processing, and selling products to high-value markets, boosting incomes and fostering growth.
Marinda Bakari, a seaweed farmer in Kibuyuni fishing village, welcomes the efforts to boost Kwale’s nascent seaweed industry. Bakari believes that with proper interventions, seaweed farming could be a viable and luc
rative venture alongside the fisheries sector.
