The ZEST pilot project is a very vital component of the market based approach to secure livelihood development in Zanzibar.

The project is composed of network of partners which some of them are linked with agricultural and tourism products. It is highlighted that low productivity in agriculture, fishing, and livestock are the underlying factors of income poverty in Zanzibar. Therefore, the projects initiatives for poverty alleviation is at high alert and priority. To achieve this goal, the program focuses on 4 key areas:

 Create, expand, and strengthened linkages between hotels, restaurants and local food producers Utilize technical expertise of partners to advocate for their target groups in accessing tourism economic opportunities Create linkages between the tourism sector and marginalized women & people with disabilities selling cultural products Provide support by tourism linkages, to partners working with people with disabilities in the handicraft production Increase employment opportunities for target groups of partners through technical skills training in the tourism sector Maximize profits of Mud-Crab farmers by utilizing technical expertise of partners, through tidal holding pens fattening of crablets (250 grams), originally bought at 500 TSH and after two months (1kg), are sold between 3,000 and 5,000 THS. Provide technical & financial support, and train farmers to adapt new farming techniques & shift from subsistence to commercial farming

 With collaboration and support by ACRA, over 700 students are trained through specialized tourism and hospitality training partner organizations Over 78 SMEs members received BDS training to improve their business skills Provided waste management training to over 10 communities Grants are provided to 40 SMEs to expand their businesses

Gaining trust and support from local communities at the beginning of a new project Sustainable market linkage Fluctuation of tourism pattern for the marketing of SMEs products and services Low analytical mindset of some communities, to engage in or add ideas to proposed new innovations Lack of funding to generate a bigger impact

 Audited quarterly, there is significant increase in the village savings and loan groups Beneficiaries gain financial management knowledge Ability to expand existing small businesses and start new ones Through capacity building, loans are put in good use Good repayment rate Financial independence

Pockets of loan defaults Communities not keen at interest payment Weak deposit growth Cultural constraints Education level constraints Infrastructure constraints Not enough funds

Inadequate financial management skills

 Operates a shop, called MOTO, which carries all DADA made products DADA products can be found at MIGOZ supermarket Soap, Jam, Chutneys and Pasta are of high demand Women are trained to plant moringa trees as a cash crops and also for household use

Illiteracy, causing low capacity in contributing ideas Women are organized in COOPS. Some learn fast and others do not Not enough tools, materials and equipments to support all the production work required Not enough skilled volunteers and other types of manpower in the area of production

 The program has also attracted students from the mainland Most graduates have applied the skills learned High level of interests in business essentials More employers recognizes graduates of the program Students are motivated

Low level of education Lack of business skills Lack of reliable transportation system to get to the college Lack of adequate funding to support all the teaching materials required Lack of media exposure

Skills learned and first exhibited on campus is appreciated by potential employers

 VICOBAS has mobilized community savings to create a credit scheme for farmers Twenty six such banks have been formed with a circulation capital of TSH. 20.000.000 Most farmers are self reliant Most farmers are equipped with advance negotiation skills Communities has developed advance business skills

Lack of consistent water supply Financial constraints Limited farmland Higher transportation cost to transport produce to the main vegetable hub in stone town High level of post harvest loss Difficulty in synergizing groups of farmers from different communities

Some communities resist Farmers trainers among farmers. change

 Eliminated discrimination against Lack of financial resources to be able to reach all disable people with disabilities, and groups in various communities created confidence & self-esteem Lack of education and skills Enhanced livelihoods of many, makes it difficult to initiate through various community competitive projects that can development programs compete in the lucrative market Programs like food processing has Lack of wheelchair bound provided the communities with transportation system to economic empowerment transport wheelchair persons with disability, during seminars, Skills training for many disable trainings and workshops individuals in the handicraft

sector has increased economic independence

 More community groups have expressed interests to get training and engage in fish farming activities Income proceeds upon harvest of cultured fish and crabs Community empowerment of labor assistance in the research Increase of up to 20% of profit sharing Provided training to prepare the food for the fish and mud crab

Limited seed stock supply to expand mud-crab technology Work ethics and commitment of community groups Research on mud-crab nursery techniques have been halted, where recommendation for expanding mud crab fattening is specifically anchored Financial constraints and heavy work load severely impedes the progress of the project

 Marketing expertise Knowledge and awareness of local economic conditions Long term presence on the ground and commitment International recognition Competitive advantages Cultural diversity of partner networks

Technical training provided to beneficiaries

Limited resources. Fluctuation of market forces Lack of quality tracking systems No centralized office Tourism sector not reflecting enough, to the need of small holder farmers and or SMEs Synergy between partner networks not strong enough Shortage of expertise Undifferentiated products Not enough funding

 Integrate agriculture and tourism initiatives in development programs New market segments International Donors and NGOs are showing more interest Prospective multiplier effect Unlocking barriers economic gain and livelihood befits

Unsustainable initiatives Seasonality effects Product price war Weak distribution channels Inflexible regulatory bodies Significant leakages Destinations becoming a transit region

More technical training in tourism, agriculture and business skills are provided

More all-inclusive packages offered to tourist, at the tourism generating regions

The catalyst and purpose of the ZEST projects are stimulated by VSO, through rigorous and in-depth research conducted during their many years of presence in Tanzania. The project is also influenced by reports of observation by volunteers on the frontline, local and international partners, and the Tanzanian government. The particular need to focus in the core areas of agriculture, employment and community based tourism models is a product of this research. Wit the support of all the donors and network of the partners, the ZEST project has made significant progress by being able to link the small holder farmer to the private tourism sector. Cultural tourism, particularly handicraft, is also an area the ZEST project focuses on, however, it is not successful as that of the agricultural supplies, and requires significant structural streamlining. The ZEST project has the capability reach a higher level of dimension, but requires more funding.