Mashamba 5 ya chumvi ya majaribio (4 Pemba, 1 Unguja) yalidhaminiwa na mradi wa uzalishaji chumvi kwa kutumia miunzi ya jua mwaka 1997. Mradi huu wa miaka miwili (1997-1999) uliofadhiliwa na UNDP kwa mtazamo wa kupunguza umasikini ulilenga kuanzisha fursa za kujiajiri kwa makundi ya vijana na wanawake. Moja kati ya majukumu makuu ya mradi ilikuwa ni kuhakikisha kuwepo kwa chombo kitakachoweza kuendeleza juhudi hizo baada ya mradi kumalizika. AZASPO iliundwa na waanzilishi (waliokuwemo ndani ya mradi) matokeo ambayo baadae yalihamasisha makundi mengine ya wazalishaji chumvi. Mapema mwaka 2000 UNDP ilisimamisha ufadhili wake. Uwezo uliojengwa wakati wa kipindi cha mradi uliiwezesha AZASPO kuendeleza shughuli za uzalishaji chumvi ili kufikia malengo yaliyokusudiwa. Hivyo, ijapokuwa UNDP ilisitisha ufadhili, AZASPO inaenedeleza shughuli zilizoanzishwa na mradi kama ilivyokusudiwa

Field trials of salt 5 (4 Pemba, Unguja 1) yalidhaminiwa salt production project using material from the sun in 1997. This two-year project (1997-1999) funded by UNDP with a view to reducing poverty focused on setting up self-employment opportunities for youth groups and women. One of the main responsibilities of the project was to ensure these efforts continue kitakachoweza agency after the project ended. AZASPO was created by the founders (who kuwemo in the project), which later results yalihamasisha other groups of salt producers. Early in 2000 UNDP ilisimamisha its funding. The capacity built during the project gives AZASPO salt production activities to achieve intended goals. Thus, although ilisitisha UNDP funding, AZASPO inaenedeleza established and project activities as intended