Department of Commercial Crops Fruits & Forestry

Challenges for a Dynamic Department

Following the overall goals of the Government of Zanzibar, priority is given to 'Economic Growth and Poverty Reduction. In all of the Department's activities this goal is directed to achieve Nature Conservation and Sustainable Utilization of the Resouce-base.

At the Department we observe a very intimate relationship between Social Wellfare and the Environment, its protection, management and exploitation and the incorporation of novel practices in Forestry, Plantation, Production and Eco-tourism, to develop a sustainable natural framework for short and long term future.

'Development', as means of economical growth can only be achieved in a well balanced strategy to empower our communities with means of social enhancement, management of resources and wellfare tools.

Since the success of the implementations programmes in Jozani Forest and Chwaka Bay (Unguja Island) – now an internationally recognised National Park – the Department is working towards similar programmes in many areas in the Archipelago ranging from costal forests and mangroves, Kiwengwa Forest, Mbuyuni Forest Reserve and the State Farms of Zanzibar. We have learned from our experience, the community response, and from the support of our international benefactors and partners.

A loud mention needs to be addressed to our donors, benefactors, partners and affiloiates, from whom the department has gained means and experience, and above all encouragement to poursue our goals. Please visit 'cooperation' link in this site.

We need to specially mention the Wold Widlife Protection Fund for extending their financial support to our conservation development objectives, and more recently the Geographical Society of Finland with whom we will work alongside in Kiwengwa's Conservation area in the forthcoming years.

In response to the growing tourism presence in the Isles in the recent years, the Department has deviced Eco-tourism programmes that involve the industry, institutions and the communities, to ensure that the same natural beauty that attracts visitors at present, welcomes them in the future, and its benefits spread through all layers to sustain a balanced link with our natural resources. Relevant information and technical papers are now available in this on-line publication (archives and documentation links).

In behalf of all the staff at DCCFF, we hope the contents of this new on-line publication will not only be informative of the many tasks and commitments we engage, but offer a didactic service for those interested in the our work through the isles of Zanzibar Archipelago and beyond.