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Kidichi Farm

meet the farmers

The cooperative we work with in Kidichi is located on land that was once the private estate of the first Sultan of Zanzibar and Oman. This historic site is known for its Persian bathing houses and lush forest landscape, and it was here that the first clove trees were introduced to Zanzibar in the early 1800s.

Today, the Sultanate is long gone and the land has been divided among smallholder farmers. Each farmer works their own plot, often larger than in other regions, which allows us to source high-quality, single origin Zanzibar spices.

These farmers are part of an organic cooperative led by experienced agriculturist Mr. Foum Ali Gari. Through this cooperative, they receive training in sustainable cultivation and processing methods, helping to improve both quality and consistency while preserving traditional farming practices.

The farms in Kidichi are surrounded by dense, lush forest, where farmers practise true agroforestry. There are no uniform rows of crops here. Instead, spices grow naturally within a diverse ecosystem, so much so that it often feels like walking through a tropical forest rather than a farm.

Pepper vines climb freely up surrounding trees, while jackfruit, choki choki, durian and cinnamon trees grow alongside a variety of other crops. This natural method supports biodiversity and contributes to the rich flavour of these Zanzibar spices.

We currently source black pepper, cinnamon and cloves from these farms, and hope to soon add vanilla from Aviwe’s farm. After three years of careful cultivation, she is expecting her first vanilla harvest next year.

Most spices are traditionally sun-dried on woven mats, preserving their natural character. Looking ahead, we aim to support farmers by introducing solar dryers, allowing for more consistent drying while protecting the spices from external conditions and improving overall quality.

Hujambo, hello!

I am Aviwe Ali Songoro.

Aviwe is a farmer in Kidichi who grows a variety of spices, with a current focus on vanilla, lemongrass and chillies.

She enjoys her work, especially the strong sense of community among local farmers, where knowledge and support are shared freely. This encouragement motivates her to continue improving and expanding her farm.

Karibu, welcome!

I am Ridhwan Amour Ali.

Ridhwan was born and raised in Kidichi village, where he has been farming spices and fruits for over 20 years. His favourite crop to grow is cinnamon, which thrives in the region’s rich, forested landscape.

He is deeply passionate about organic farming and actively encourages a shift towards more sustainable methods. Through his partnership with Ujamaa, Ridhwan hopes to help share Zanzibar spices with a wider audience while promoting organic farming practices.

At the same time, we aim to support him by improving access to sustainable markets and reliable fresh water, helping to strengthen both his livelihood and long-term farming practices.

Habari, hello!

I am Rehema Joni.

Rehema was born and raised in Kidichi village, where she grows black pepper, cardamom, cinnamon and ginger. She takes great pride in her work and especially enjoys welcoming customers who come to buy her spices directly.

In recent years, however, this has become more challenging, particularly following COVID, which has limited access to local buyers.

Through her partnership with Ujamaa, Rehema hopes to reach new markets and share her Zanzibar black pepper and other spices with a wider audience, helping her secure a more stable and fair income.

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