To strengthen the link between agriculture and tourism, the President of Zanzibar, Dr Hussein Mwinyi, has appealed to hotels, restaurants and food suppliers operating within the archipelago to increase their purchases of produce grown by Zanzibar farmers through the Farm-to-Table system.
According to him, organic foods drive sustainable tourism by enhancing culinary experiences, supporting local economies and promoting environmental conservation.
Already, the Government of Zanzibar has introduced the Zanzibar Organic Agriculture Strategy, highlighting its determination to promote the transformation of the agricultural system towards organic farming, with the aim of producing enough food to feed visitors with culinary products sourced from natural produce.
Speaking while officiating the opening of the third Zanzibar Organic Festival 2026 at Dole Kizimbani in the West “A” District, Urban West Region, President Mwinyi said his government was keen to support the sustainable growth of organic farming in the Isles.
He noted that the government will continue investing in strengthening the agricultural sector by improving production infrastructure, promoting modern technologies and irrigation systems, expanding access to affordable financing, and improving markets for agricultural produce.
The focus, he said, is to enable farmers to increase food production at affordable costs while preserving soil fertility, water sources and the environment, as well as ensuring food security and protecting consumers’ health.
Dr Mwinyi directed the Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation, Natural Resources and Livestock to begin the process of establishing a dedicated Organic Agriculture Unit to coordinate organic farming activities across Zanzibar.
He also directed the Ministry to assess the possibility of including organic agricultural inputs in the government’s agricultural input subsidy programme, while stressing the need for the safe and proper use of agricultural inputs.
The festival is being held under the theme “Think Globally, Eat Naturally,” with the aim of bringing together farmers and various stakeholders to exchange knowledge and technologies and promote better and sustainable food production practices.
During the festival, President Mwinyi presented awards to various stakeholders and sponsors supporting efforts to develop the agricultural sector. He was also presented with an honorary award in recognition of his leadership and contribution to the development of agriculture in Zanzibar