From Mats to Raised Racks: A Simple Change Improving Seaweed Quality in Saadani

In the coastal community of Saadani, seaweed is more than just a marine product. For many women, it is an important source of income and a way to support their families.

For the Deep-Water Seaweed Group, however, one simple challenge affected the quality of their harvest: how to dry the seaweed properly.

From the Ground to a Raised Stand

Traditionally, after harvesting, the group placed seaweed on mats laid directly on the ground to dry. While this method was familiar and affordable, the seaweed came into direct contact with sand and soil, making it difficult to maintain the cleanliness and quality of the final product.

Through the Climate-Smart Initiative, the group explored a simple solution that could work with the materials and skills available in their community.

They transformed their traditional drying area by constructing a simple raised drying rack.

Instead of placing the seaweed directly on the ground, the raised stand allows air to circulate underneath while keeping the seaweed away from sand and soil.

A Small Innovation, A Meaningful Difference

The change may look simple, but for the group, it represents an important improvement.

The raised drying rack helps them produce cleaner and better-quality dried seaweed, reducing contamination from sand and improving the overall appearance of their product.

More importantly, the solution is locally made, affordable and easy to maintain. It demonstrates that climate-smart solutions do not always require expensive technology. Sometimes, a practical idea developed with the community can make a meaningful difference.

“We used to dry our seaweed on mats placed on the ground. Now, the raised stand keeps it away from the sand and helps us get cleaner seaweed.”

Growing Livelihoods Through Local Solutions

The experience of the Deep-Water Seaweed Group shows how small improvements can contribute to stronger coastal livelihoods.

By improving the way seaweed is handled after harvesting, the group is not only protecting the quality of its product but also strengthening its opportunity to participate in markets and earn from its work.

This is at the heart of the Climate-Smart Initiative: supporting coastal communities to find practical solutions that connect sustainable livelihoods, environmental stewardship and locally driven innovation.

In Saadani, a simple move from drying on mats to drying on raised racks is creating a cleaner, better and more sustainable way of working one harvest at a time.