Sidney-based company aims to uplift "she-weed" farmers in Kenya
Cascadia Seaweed is working with hundreds of women in the coastal county of Kwale.
Published July 21, 2025
by Harry Corro of the Peninsula News Review
https://www.saanichnews.com/local-news/sidney-based-company-aims-to-uplift-she-weed-farmers-in-kenya-8143109
A company based in Sidney is working on a project aimed at significantly improving the livelihoods of seaweed farmers in Kwale County, Kenya.
Cascadia Seaweed, the largest commercial producer of regenerative agricultural products derived from cultivated kelp in North America, is working on the Conservation and Sustainable Management of Coastal and Marine Ecosystems (COSME) project.
Seaweed farmers in Kwale / Courtesy of Plan International
The four-year project, funded by Global Affairs Canada, is implemented by Plan International Canada in collaboration with Cascadia for seaweed farming initiatives and the Jane Goodall Institute Canada for mangrove and forest management.
The initiative brings together various Kenyan partners from government, non-government and civil society organizations as well as the private sector, with a particular focus on empowering women-led and youth-led organizations.
Cascadia is contributing its expertise in engineering, biology and markets to support Kenyan seaweed farmers.
"Our goal is to comprehensively assess the entire seaweed value chain in Kenya and provide recommendations for improvements that can lead to greater prosperity for the seaweed farmers on the ground," said Jennifer O’Neill, senior project manager of Cascadia’s nature-based solutions division.
Jennifer O’Neill of Cascadia’s nature-based solutions division in Kenya. / Cascadia Seaweed
One of the key interventions involves designing a land-based nursery to provide high-quality seed stock to farmers. This nursery will function as a biobank, focusing on developing more resilient seaweed crops.
Furthermore, Cascadia plans to bring nurseries closer to the water, enabling farmers to manage their own seed supply more efficiently and at a larger scale.
Beyond production, Cascadia is also focused on improving market access for the farmers.
The company is exploring the potential of bringing a Kenyan-made seaweed-based biostimulant into domestic and regional markets. These biostimulants are derived from cultivated seaweed and are designed to enhance plant growth, improve stress tolerance and boost yields.
The goal is to break the monopoly buyer scenario, bring greater profits to seaweed farmers, create entrepreneurial opportunity and provide food security for drought-stricken domestic agriculture.
Additionally, Cascadia is investigating ways to optimize farm structures, particularly the drying process, to reduce the heavy labour burden primarily shouldered by women.
"Seaweed farming is an extremely labour-intensive activity, not just in British Columbia, but worldwide," emphasized O'Neill.
"This is especially true for women in Kenya, who are severely underfinanced and often have to carry sacks of seaweed weighing 50 to 60 kilograms for kilometres.”
According to the World Bank, women constitute the majority of seaweed farmers globally, leading to the term "she-weed" farmers.
Currently, Cascadia is working with at least 20 groups of these "she-weed" farmers in Kwale, with each group ranging from five to 50 people.
A Kenyan seaweed farmer. / Cascadia Seaweed
These women often juggle the responsibilities of raising families and managing household chores alongside their seaweed farming activities.
Their typical day involves waking up early, tending to their households and then waiting for low tide to begin farming. This leaves them with a narrow two-hour window to seed, check on, or harvest their farms.
O’Neill further elaborated on the challenges, saying, "When harvesting, the women carry heavy sacks of seaweed and depending on the farm's location, they may have to walk for anywhere from 15 minutes to half a day to transport the seaweed back to the village for drying."
The drying process takes about a week, after which the seaweed is stored until a buyer arrives.
This is where Cascadia aims to make a significant difference.
The company is exploring ways to reduce the labour burden by implementing drying systems closer to the farms. They're also advocating for improved transport networks and promoting changes to farm structures to enhance seaweed growth and yields.
"One of the most impactful ways we believe we can assist is by providing farmers with access to better domestic markets that offer higher profit margins and greater stability over time," explained O’Neill.
Seaweed products such as soaps and shampoos on display. / Cascadia Seaweed
Kenyan women seaweed farmers are currently involved in producing various products, including dried seaweed for export and value-added items like soaps, shampoos and even fish feed for aquaculture.
Some women are also experimenting with processing seaweed into ingredients for cosmetics and other personal care products.
The seaweed farming industry is experiencing significant growth, with projections estimating a market value of $11.8 billion by 2030, according to the World Bank.
"Canada has a critical role to play in supporting international development, particularly through a gender lens, as communities can be significantly uplifted by supporting women and youth," said Cascadia founder and director Bill Collins.
O’Neill concluded that women in Kenya are incredibly resourceful and resilient. However, they face structural barriers that limit their economic involvement and success, such as limited access to education, credit, finance and markets.
