Unguja. Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) has countered claims made by the Deputy Chairperson of ACT-Wazalendo in Zanzibar, Ismail Jussa Ladhu, regarding the state of the clove economy.
Jussa had earlier argued that farmers in Pemba and Unguja were not receiving fair benefits from the clove trade, despite the crop being one of Zanzibar’s most valuable exports.
He said government policies had failed to adequately protect producers, leaving many struggling while middlemen and exporters gained the most.
Responding to the remarks, Khamis Mbeto Khamis, Secretary of the NEC’s Special Committee in Zanzibar for Ideology, Publicity, and Training, addressed the matter during the launch of election campaigns in Fuoni Constituency, Urban West Region, Unguja Island.
Mbeto said that contrary to the opposition’s position, the price of cloves had seen significant growth in recent years.
“The price of cloves increased during the administration of former President Dr. Ali Mohamed Shein from Sh3,000 to Sh14,000 per kilo,” Mbeto noted.
He emphasized that the growth in clove prices reflected broader government efforts to support farmers and strengthen Zanzibar’s agricultural economy.
