A new initiative is set to improve poultry farming opportunities for youth and women in Tanzania. The “Accelerated Innovation Delivery Initiative – Livestock” (AID-L) Tanzania, a two-year project funded by USAID with US$2 million, will be spearheaded by the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) and the Tanzania Livestock Research Institute (TALIRI) alongside other stakeholders.
This project aims to expand access to better breeds of chickens, particularly commercial broilers and layers, for 18,000 farmers in both rural and urban areas of Dodoma. Financial aid will be provided through cost-sharing for both starting and expanding poultry farms. Additionally, the initiative will offer expert advice and educational resources via mass media to reduce chicken illnesses and deaths.
AID-L will be implemented in all eight districts of Dodoma. The International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) and Land O’Lakes Venture37 are among the partners, with major players including Silverlands Tanzania Limited, Interchick Company Ltd, and the Poultry Association of Tanzania (PAT) also involved.
This initiative is part of a larger program, the Southern Africa Accelerated Innovation Delivery Initiative (AID-I) Rapid Delivery Hub, a US$50 million, 36-month project encompassing the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Malawi, Zambia, and Tanzania. The overall goal of AID-I is to empower 3 million people across these countries.
Poultry farming already plays an important role in Tanzania’s agricultural sector, with over 80% of households rearing hens, according to National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) figures for 2021. Indigenous chickens are especially significant, accounting for more than 70% of chicken meat and eggs consumed in rural regions and up to 20% in cities. Tanzania has approximately 40 million indigenous chickens and 32 million commercial poultry, with 24 million being raised for meat and 8 million for egg production. AID-L intends to expand on this existing foundation by improving access to resources and knowledge, allowing youth and women to make even greater contributions to Tanzania’s poultry industry.
