Zanzibar's government is positioning agriculture as a pathway to employment for young people, moving away from traditional farming towards commercially oriented production using modern technology. The message came during the country's 2026 World Food Day celebrations, held in Pemba from October 10 to 16, where regional and national leaders called on youths to view farming as a viable business rather than a last resort.
The Regional Commissioner for North Pemba, Mgeni Khatib Yahya, used the World Food Day exhibition at Chamanangwe grounds in Wete District to urge young people to acquire agricultural knowledge and develop skills for self-reliance. The exhibition brought together over 130 institutions including farmers, livestock keepers, researchers, traders and investors to showcase innovations and exchange experiences. Yahya said the government wanted young people engaged in productive work rather than activities that threaten peace and security.
Second Vice-President Dr Hemed Suleiman Abdulla, opening the exhibition on behalf of President Hussein Ali Mwinyi, called on farmers to embrace modern technology and climate-smart practices to increase productivity. The 2026 World Food Day theme, 'Innovate today. Nourish tomorrow,' emphasised innovation in developing sustainable food systems. Dr Hemed said Zanzibar Development Vision 2050 provided a framework for transforming agriculture from subsistence into sustainable, climate-resilient commercial farming capable of supplying domestic and international markets.
The government is backing this transformation with infrastructure investment and policy programmes. The Minister for Agriculture, Irrigation, Natural Resources and Livestock, Suleiman Massoud Makame, said the government was committed to applying scientific knowledge and modern technologies to improve farming and livestock production. Investment is underway to rehabilitate irrigation infrastructure in 10 rice-growing valleys across Unguja and Pemba, construct seed-storage facilities and renovate food warehouses. The government is also implementing the Zanzibar Agricultural Sector Transformation Programme for 2025 to 2035, designed to increase productivity and improve farmers' incomes.
Beyond traditional crop and livestock production, the exhibition highlighted opportunities across the agricultural value chain, including irrigation services, seed production, food storage, processing, packaging, transportation and marketing. Young people without large farms can establish viable enterprises by providing services to farmers and agricultural businesses. However, success requires continued investment in training, access to affordable financing, reliable markets, appropriate technology and infrastructure.
For savers and borrowers in Zanzibar, government agricultural initiatives offering skills support, access to finance and improved inputs could create opportunities for youth to establish productive enterprises. The challenge now is ensuring that exhibition lessons translate into practical action that enables young people to build sustainable agricultural businesses while strengthening food security and economic development across the islands.