DAR ES SALAAM – Tanzania has launched a vital initiative to bolster its poultry sector, partnering with the Netherlands to improve disease diagnosis and control. The project, a collaboration between the Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries and the Netherlands Embassy in Dar es Salaam, aims to enhance knowledge exchange and leverage modern technology to combat poultry diseases nationwide.
“This partnership is a significant step towards improving poultry health and ensuring food security across Tanzania,” stated Professor Riziki Shemdoe, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries, at the project’s launch. He emphasized the crucial role of poultry in creating economic opportunities, particularly for young people, and addressing unemployment.
The project will focus on comprehensive knowledge transfer and investment in cutting-edge technologies, especially in sample collection and analysis. Professor Shemdoe highlighted the government’s commitment to the livestock sector, noting the recent launch of a 28.1bn/- national livestock vaccination campaign under President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s leadership. This campaign, part of a broader five-year National Livestock Vaccination Strategy (2024-2029), aims to boost livestock trade both domestically and internationally. He also encouraged Tanzanians, especially youth, to participate in the government’s “Building a Better Tomorrow” (BBT) program, which promotes youth involvement in agribusiness, including poultry farming.
Wiebe de Boer, Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, lauded the collaboration, noting the project is funded by the Netherlands Enterprise Agency and implemented by the Tanzania Veterinary Laboratory Authority (TVLA) and Royal GD, a Dutch organization specializing in animal health diagnostics. “Royal GD’s extensive expertise, conducting up to five million laboratory analyses annually, will be invaluable in strengthening TVLA’s diagnostic capabilities,” he said. He stressed the importance of effective disease management for a thriving poultry sector and highlighted a recent visit by Dutch poultry companies to Tanzania to provide specialized training and explore business opportunities.
Robert Molenaar, an expert from Royal GD, underscored the poultry sector’s importance for sustainable farming and community well-being. He noted the Netherlands’ success in animal product exports, attributing it to significant investments in technology.
Dr. Mfaume Simbah, a veterinary doctor and technical manager at Silverlands Tanzania, outlined the challenges faced by smallholder poultry farmers, particularly a lack of knowledge regarding vaccine usage. He cited issues such as improper water quality and quantity for vaccinations and the misuse of antimicrobials. “Smallholder poultry production is crucial for food security, but infectious diseases and a lack of vaccination knowledge pose major barriers,” he explained.
The collaborative project between Tanzania and the Netherlands represents a significant investment in the country’s poultry sector, promising to improve disease control, enhance productivity, and boost food security.
