By Charles Mkoka
Dar es Salaam– Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Energy, Dr. Doto Biteko (pictured), on October 16, 2024, directed the Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries to establish parent chicken farms, set up modern poultry centers and laboratories, and invest in advanced poultry slaughterhouses.
Dr. Biteko issued these directives while inaugurating the Southern Africa Poultry Industry Forum (SADC) in Dar es Salaam. He noted that the forum highlights Tanzania's strong regional relationships under President Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan’s leadership, which have opened doors in various sectors, including poultry farming.
Dr. Biteko emphasized the economic and nutritional benefits of poultry farming, which contributes to food security and boosts regional and national GDP. He highlighted that 55% of Tanzanian households engage in poultry farming, with women and youth leading the way. Tanzania currently has 103.1 million chickens, both local and commercial breeds.
In his address, the Deputy Prime Minister urged the Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries to accelerate the development of the poultry industry. He also called for a cold supply chain for poultry products, the establishment of local feed industries, and the development of chicken food processing plants to reduce reliance on imported products.
“Establish a cold chain for poultry distribution, invest in cages, poultry feed, and set up local feed processing factories to avoid spending foreign currency on imports,” said Dr. Biteko. He also encouraged private sector involvement in the poultry industry to help drive economic growth, while urging researchers to collaborate with the government to avoid creating public panic with incomplete research.
Minister of Livestock and Fisheries, Abdallah Ulega, praised the forum's organization, attributing it to the success of the AGRA meeting held in Dar es Salaam, led by President Samia. Ulega noted that many Tanzanian families engage in poultry farming, and the forum offers a platform for learning and relationship-building for farmers.
Ulega emphasized that by 2030, poultry is expected to contribute 41% of the nation’s protein supply and called for collaboration between researchers and the government to ensure accurate and responsible dissemination of research findings.
The former Prime Minister of Ethiopia and Chairperson of the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA), Dr. Hailemariam Dessalegn, praised poultry farming as a key source of protein, market opportunities, and youth employment. He noted that forums like this provide a valuable platform for learning, overcoming challenges, and enhancing regional cooperation to achieve Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly the goal of ending hunger and poverty by 2030.
Farmers from across the region also shared their success stories. Malawian farmer Grace Gondwe spoke about how she launched her modern poultry farming business after university and has seen consistent demand growth over the past five years, thanks to technological advancements in poultry production. Tanzanian farmer Omary Mussa, from Tanga, detailed how he expanded his farm from 500 to 4,000 chickens after receiving training and establishing his company, Kuku Pesa Investment Group, to promote poultry farming as a business.
“Poultry farming is part of our culture in Tanzania, but we need to turn it into a profitable business. My company helps train people to see farming as a career and provides oversight to 98 farmers in Tanga,” said Mussa.
The forum brought together key stakeholders from the poultry industry, offering a platform for collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and the development of a thriving poultry sector across Southern Africa.