Turning mud crabs into opportunity for women along Zanzibar’s coast

When visitors arrive at her crab farm in Bumbwini, Mafufuni, Mtuma Hamisi Haji sees it as more than a courtesy call. For her, it is a chance to learn, reflect and improve.

“Whenever visitors come, it makes us happy,” she says. “It means we can talk, be corrected, and understand how to do things better.”

Mtuma is a mother and an aquafarmer, and a member of Asalaam Alaykum, a local group engaged in aquaculture in Unguja. While group members also farm fish and keep bees, mud crab farming has become a key source of income for Mtuma and many women in her community.

On her plot, more than 250 containers are arranged carefully, each holding crabs at different stages of growth. It is a system built gradually — through trial, error and, more recently, structured support.

Turning potential into practice

For years, crab farming in the area was informal. Farmers sold their harvest quickly, often without knowing how prices were determined.

“We used to rush to sell,” Mtuma recalls. “Buyers would weigh the crabs and give us money, but we didn’t know the grades or the value. We had no choice.”

That began to change under the Agriculture and Fisheries Development Programme (AFDP) 2021–2027, supported by the Government of Tanzania, the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and beneficiaries themselves. 

AFDP aims to strengthen inclusive food systems by improving productivity, building climate resilience and expanding market opportunities — with particular attention to women and youth.

Through the programme, Mtuma and her fellow group members received training in improved mud crab farming practices, alongside starter support and basic infrastructure.

“We were trained step by step,” she says. “We learned how to prepare the containers, how to observe growth, and how to manage the crabs properly.”

Skills, confidence and income

The training helped farmers understand quality, timing and handling — knowledge that directly affects income.

“Now, we don’t just sell because we are desperate,” Mtuma explains. “We check the crabs. We know which ones are ready and which are not.”

For Mtuma, the results are tangible. Crab farming now helps her support her children and meet household and social responsibilities — things that once felt out of reach.

“Without this project, I don’t know what I would have done,” she says. “Now, when there is a need, I can stand up and provide.”

Her experience reflects a wider shift. Under AFDP, aquafarmers in Unguja and Pemba have been trained in improved mud crab farming techniques, with women making up a significant share of participants. Youth and people with disabilities are also included, reinforcing the programme’s focus on equity and opportunity.

Farming together, growing stronger

Although each farmer manages her own plot, the work is rooted in cooperation. Members of Asalaam Alaykum share tasks, exchange knowledge and support one another when challenges arise.

“This farm is mine,” Mtuma says, “but the learning is shared. We move forward together.”

That sense of solidarity has strengthened confidence, particularly among women. Mtuma now welcomes visitors who want to learn about crab farming and is ready to share what she knows.

“I didn’t have formal education in this,” she says. “But with the right support, anyone can learn and improve their life.”

Looking ahead

While progress is clear, challenges remain. Farmers hope for additional technical training, better equipment such as boats and traps, and improved market access to ensure fair and transparent pricing.

These needs are well aligned with AFDP’s broader investments in fisheries and aquaculture — from research on mud crab breeding and feed, to strengthening farmer skills and value chains.

For Mtuma, the direction is clear. 

“This project has helped me a lot,” she says. “It has given me a livelihood, dignity and hope for the future.