Changes in Program Activities

7. Tanzania On-the-Ground Results 7.1 Report Period Accomplishments January 1 – March 31, 2009 Half-pearl mabe Farming and Jewelry-making Different members of the original pearl farming groups have now started their own individual pearl farming initiatives. However, the pearl farmers and jewelry makers continue to share the equipment that was provided by the SUCCESS Program and to jointly market their products. While the shellcraft jewelry production has expanded and prospered, the half- pearl farming and jewelry-making was constrained by the long period of time needed to produce the half-pearls—the raw material for the mabe jewelry. Increased harvests are now beginning as the rate of seeding oysters continues to grow see table below. Furthermore, the project has started to get pearl growers to use spat collectors in order to start reducing pressure on wild harvests of adult animals. A total of 255 collectors made from coconut shells, car tires and rice bags have now been set in Bweleo, Nyamanzi and Unguja Ukuu. Half-pearls continue to show strong market demand. For instance, nine raw half-pearls were recently sold at a total of 270,000 Tsh US180. Location Spat collectors Shells seeded Total half-pearls produced Grade-1 half- pearls produced Bweleo 70 120 50 25 Nyamanzi 150 100 Unguja Ukuu 35 - - - Meanwhile, the program established box type long lines see Figure below. Leveraged funds from ReCoMaP provided partial support for a volunteer to work in the Fumba Peninsular for 17 days to: • Assist villagers in establishing small scale farms and individual spat collection lines; demonstrate methods for establishing underwater long-lines; instruct on farm maintenance; train in the collection and care of juvenile pearl oysters and in grafting skills for half-pearls. • Train and provide on-going support for half-pearl and pearl -hells jewelry-making. • Provide support and guide the formation of business management units for women’s groups. • Provide training in marketing skills. • Collect basic costs and revenue information for later development of simple farm budgets and business plans. 18