In the sun-drenched shores of Kenya’s coast, a silent revolution is taking place. With the climate crisis affecting traditional livelihoods such as fishing and farming, a growing number of coastal women are turning to a lesser-known but high-potential solution: seaweed farming. This shift is not just about income—women embracing seaweed farming are also contributing to ecological conservation, nutritional improvement, and community resilience.
Seaweed Farming: A Viable Economic Lifeline
Along coastal counties like Kilifi, Kwale, and Lamu, seaweed farming is becoming increasingly attractive. Traditionally dominated by men, marine-based livelihoods are now welcoming more women who see the seaweed sector as accessible, sustainable, and relatively low-cost to enter. Women are cultivating Eucheuma and Kappaphycus—two seaweed species highly demanded for their use in food, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and industrial thickeners.
Supported by NGOs like CORDIO East Africa and the Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute (KMFRI), women’s groups receive training, planting materials, and market linkages. The returns, although modest compared to cash crops, offer steady income in a region where economic options are often limited.
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Empowerment Through Cooperative Farming
One of the most inspiring aspects of women embracing seaweed farming is the rise of cooperative models. These groups share equipment, boats, and drying platforms, creating not just income but a sense of sisterhood and agency. For example, the Mkwiro Women’s Group in Kwale County has grown from 10 to over 60 members, selling dried seaweed to processors at prices ranging between Ksh 50–Ksh 100 per kilogram.
This cooperation also opens doors for other opportunities—such as savings groups, micro-loans, and collective bargaining—that can help women expand into value addition, such as making soaps, lotions, and seaweed snacks.
Sustainability at the Heart
Seaweed farming has minimal environmental impact. It requires no freshwater, fertilizers, or pesticides and actually helps to absorb excess carbon dioxide and nutrients from the ocean. As such, the shift toward seaweed is timely in addressing both marine degradation and food security.
Women in seaweed farming often integrate environmental education into their activities, teaching their communities about marine protection, plastic waste management, and climate adaptation. Their leadership is redefining what grassroots conservation looks like on Kenya’s coast.
Government and Private Sector Support Still Lacking
Despite its potential, the seaweed sector in Kenya is still underdeveloped. The national output is far behind that of Tanzania and Zanzibar, where the industry is a key export earner. Lack of standardized pricing, unstable markets, and poor infrastructure continue to hamper growth.
For women embracing seaweed farming to thrive, policy makers and private investors must step in. Investment in cold storage, drying technology, and improved transport systems can increase profitability and reduce post-harvest losses. Additionally, domestic consumption of seaweed should be encouraged to create internal demand and buffer against export volatility.
Seaweed Farming Is More Than a Trend
Across the Kenyan coast, women embracing seaweed farming are not just adopting a new income stream—they are pioneering a socio-economic and environmental transformation. Their participation in this budding blue economy points to a future where livelihoods, gender empowerment, and sustainability go hand in hand.
As this quiet tide gains momentum, one thing is clear: Kenya’s coastal women are not just riding the waves—they are shaping them.
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