Kibeni Village
meet the farmers
Kibeni is located at the northern tip of Unguja, the main island of Zanzibar, just a short walk from the coast with views across to Tumbatu Island. This remote region is known for its harsh, dry conditions and challenging farming environment.
The land is hot and rugged, covered in dense, spiky scrub with very few trees. Shade is scarce, making farming physically demanding under the tropical sun. Despite these conditions, Kibeni remains a place of resilience and determination.
Kibeni is home to our Zanzibar turmeric women’s cooperative, a group of dedicated farmers working small plots of land near their homes. Alongside turmeric, they grow crops such as bananas, plantains, coconuts, yams and maize using traditional methods.
Beyond farming, these women manage their households, care for their families and prepare meals from scratch every day. Their work reflects strength, community and a deep connection to the land, making Kibeni an essential part of our single origin Zanzibar spices story.
Life in Kibeni is challenging, and it becomes even harder when communities are caught in a cycle of poverty. Zanzibar turmeric is one of the few sources of additional income for these farmers, yet yields have been declining due to limited access to organic fertilisers and the inability to rest the soil. Keeping livestock, which could provide natural compost, is often too expensive.
Much of their harvest is sold to middlemen at low local prices, leaving farmers with only a small share of the profit. At Ujamaa, we are committed to changing this. We pay our partner farmers a fair price for their turmeric and reinvest part of the profits back into their farms. This enables them to purchase organic fertilisers and adopt practices that allow the land to recover.
We also work alongside experienced agricultural experts, Dr. Mwatima Juma and Mr. Ali Jecha, who support farmers in implementing more sustainable and regenerative growing methods. These practices not only improve crop yields and livelihoods but also help restore the local ecosystem by increasing tree cover, improving soil health and retaining moisture.
Through this approach, we aim to build a more sustainable future for both the farmers and the land they depend on.
Hujambo, hello!
I am Mwajuma Mshamba Kitiba.
Karibu, welcome!
My name is Mwajuma Idi Juma.
Mwajuma was born and continues to live in Kibeni village, where she has been farming for over 30 years. She works alongside her family, growing turmeric as a key part of their livelihood.
One of the main challenges she faces is low soil fertility, which affects both yield and quality. She also feels that her turmeric does not currently earn a fair income. Through her partnership with Ujamaa, Mwajuma hopes to access new markets and secure better prices, helping to improve her income and support her family.
discover our Kibeni single origin spices
-
Zanzibar Turmeric
£6.50 -
Zanzibar Turmeric Latte Blend
Price range: £6.50 through £10.99 This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page -
Zanzibar Golden Milk Spice Set
£24.00 -
Zanzibar Wellbeing Spice Trio
£18.00
