Demonstration farms accelerating climate-smart banana production

“We were very grateful when this project came our way because we didn’t know how to grow bananas—and we are very happy with the results,” said Aligora, leader of a women’s group selected to host one of the banana demonstration sites. “We are very thankful to [the ZJP] donors, Norway, as well as the UN and the Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar.”

Her group is part of 30 banana demonstration farms being established in northern Zanzibar, 15 in Unguja and 15 in Pemba, under the Zanzibar Joint Programme (ZJP): Integrated Innovations for Sustainable Development. The ZJP is funded by the Royal Norwegian Embassy through the Tanzania SDG Acceleration Fund and supports climate-resilient value chains as part of its food systems pillar. 

Implemented by the Government through the Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation, Natural Resources and Livestock, with support from the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO), the demonstration farms serve as practical learning hubs showing farmers how improved planting, farm management and group-based approaches can rapidly increase productivity and quality. Although the initial pilot site was established only three months ago, early progress is already visible, demonstrating how quickly improved practices can take root when extension support, inputs and farmer organisation come together.

“We have initiated this activity as a pilot to see the impact it will be able to have,” said Mohammed Mlekwa Yusuph, Zanzibar Joint Programme Focal Person, Ministry of Agriculture. “We started with groups because this approach will allow us to reach more people. We are very thankful to Norway, because this activity is going to have significant impact on food systems transformation and on communities.”

The initiative responds to a clear market opportunity. Zanzibar is a net importer of key staple foods, so strengthening domestic production, alongside value addition and market linkages, can help reduce vulnerability to external shocks while creating income opportunities for farming households.

The programme also recognises the practical challenge of engaging young people in agriculture when they are seeking faster returns. Demonstration farms therefore promote diversified, climate-smart approaches that can blend longer-cycle crops like bananas with faster-turnover crops (such as leafy greens), supporting near-term income while farmers build more sustainable enterprises over time.

Together, these efforts demonstrate how the ZJP’s food systems pillar is strengthening value chains beyond production, building skills, confidence and market readiness to improve livelihoods and expand opportunities, especially for women and youth.