Severe economic, tourism, health, agricultural, livestock, environmental and biodiversity impacts are among the reasons the government decided to allocate substantial funds to eradicate Indian crows.
The Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar (RGZ) has set aside Sh1.8 billion for a special project to eliminate the environmentally destructive birds, which are also blamed for decimating other bird species and small animals vital to tourism.
Responding to a question in the House of Representatives on Thursday, September 17, 2026, Deputy Minister for Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock, Dr Salum Soud Hamed, said the programme aims not to neglect agricultural activities but to mitigate the threat posed by the birds, which destroy crops and livestock, cause the disappearance of native bird species and spread epidemic diseases.
Dr Soud was responding to a question by special seats representative, Ms Moza Mohammed Khamis, who asked why the government had directed significant funds towards purchasing traps to eradicate crows instead of channelling the resources into helping farmers acquire modern seeds and livestock such as dairy cattle, goats and chickens to reduce hunger.
“The goal of the programme is not to abandon agricultural activities, but to reduce the threat destroying crops, livestock, causing the disappearance of native birds and spreading epidemic diseases,” he said.
He noted that the government had allocated funds in the 2026/27 budget to implement the programme for the benefit of the agricultural sector and citizens in general.
In March this year, while presenting the ministry’s achievements, Minister for Agriculture, Irrigation, Natural Resources and Livestock Suleiman Masoud Makame said the government had set aside Sh1.8 billion for the project.
According to the minister, Zanzibar has 1.7 million Indian crows, with nine traps currently targeting 13,000 crows.
“The goal is to reach 100 traps to eradicate these crows,” said the minister, adding that the government aims to eliminate 364,000 crows every year.