Ecological farming in Zanzibar

If you are interested in agriculture, an assignment in Zanzibar offers you a great opportunity to get to know tropical agriculture. Zanzibar is known for the cultivation of tropical fruits such as mangoes, guavas, citrus fruits and bananas, as well as vegetables such as cucumbers, tomatoes and avocados. The farms there mostly produce for the local market, although some exquisite mango varieties are often exported. Characteristic of traditional farms in Zanzibar is the extensive mixed cultivation, where different species are planted together to naturally reduce pests. Typically, no synthetic pesticides are used; instead, for example, neem oil is used. Sometimes, shifting cultivation is also practiced to maintain soil quality.

On Mr. Foum's farm, who, in addition to tropical fruits and spices, also cultivates mushrooms and operates an exhibition and teaching area, you can experience daily agricultural life firsthand. He can also arrange for you to visit other farms that specialize in growing tropical vegetables or rice, or operate greenhouses. You also have the opportunity to visit the Kizimbani Tree Nursery and Coral Rag Farms, which operate a special collection economy on coral rocks. Visits to the agrometeorological station, the Kizimbani Agricultural Training Institute (KATI) and the Zanzibar Agricultural Research Institute (ZARI) are generally possible, as is learning about biodiversity in Jozani Forest National Park.

Mr. Foum will create a program that is oriented towards your interests and offers you qualified internship supervision. If you are interested in special topics such as irrigation systems, biological weed control, optimization of permanent crops, residue management after harvest, or the storage and preservation of tropical fruits, these can also be worked on as part of diploma theses or research projects. The agricultural specialized library of the Kizimbani Agricultural Institute is also available to you. While the position is unpaid, you will get to dive deep into all the different aspects of tropical agriculture and gain some valuable experience.