Once reliant on traditional crops, Kenya’s coastal village of Mwazaro now looks to the ocean for survival.
The impact of climate change, including droughts, has devastated staple crops like cassava and maize. In response, locals have turned to seaweed farming, a sustainable livelihood that’s thriving along the coast.
Seaweed is planted on beaches, dried inland, and processed into products like soap, shampoo, and food additives.
Since 2008, the practice has spread to over 20 villages, providing a reliable income for many.
In Kibuyuni, investments in seaweed farming have improved infrastructure, and the Seaweed Farmers’ Cooperative now supports over 100 households.
For Tima Jasho, a mother of seven, seaweed farming has empowered her to support her children’s education and improve her family’s living standards.
“I can earn my own money,” she says.
Kenya’s seaweed industry produced 100 tons in 2022, earning over $30,000 from exports to China, France, and the U.S.
With global demand for seaweed soaring, Kenya’s emerging sector holds great potential, though continued investment in research and technology is crucial for future growth.