A $2 million initiative aimed at encouraging poultry farming among Tanzanian youth and women has been launched by the Tanzania Livestock Research Institute (TALIRI) and the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI). This project, which is supported by USAID, is a component of the larger Accelerated Innovation Delivery Initiative – Livestock (AID-L), which aims to support Southern Africa’s agriculture industry.
The primary aim of the project is to enhance the poultry farming business in Dodoma, Tanzania by introducing superior chicken breeds, providing essential consulting services, and providing the necessary instruments to reduce the rates of illness and mortality among poultry. 18,000 farmers are to receive assistance in raising their income and output. The program also aims to provide sustainable economic opportunities, with an emphasis on young and female farmers in particular, who sometimes face more challenges in gaining access to resources and markets.
Tanzania’s economy is significantly influenced by the poultry industry. The GDP of agriculture is greatly impacted by the hen industry, which is carried out by more than 80% of families. The initiative attempts to shift these households from subsistence farming to more commercial enterprises by offering superior breeds and support. It is anticipated that this change will boost food security, boost production efficiency, and improve many families’ standard of living.
The dissemination of improved breeds of chicken is one of the initiative’s key components. Because of their adaptability and increased output over local variations, these breeds are chosen for breeding. More meat and eggs are anticipated from them, which will benefit the farmers with higher yields. Farmers will receive training in disease prevention, nutrition, and best practices for managing poultry along with the new breeds. Ensuring that the advantages of the new breeds are fully realized is the goal of this extensive support system.
Collaboration with other organizations, like Land O’Lakes Venture37 and the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT), is another aspect of the initiative. By ensuring that developments in other parts of the agricultural value chain match advancements in poultry farming, these partnerships seek to build a holistic approach to agricultural development.
Apart from providing immediate assistance to farmers, the project underscores the significance of enhancing local capability. This entails educating regional extension agents and creating networks of advisors rooted in the community who can offer farmers continuing assistance and guidance. The initiative intends to construct a sustainable model of agricultural development that can expand and change long after the initial funding term by fostering this local expertise.
Building a more robust and dynamic agricultural sector throughout Southern Africa Democratic Republic of Congo, Malawi, Zambia and Tanzania is the overarching goal of the AID-L program. To show how focused interventions can have a major positive impact on the economy and society, the project focuses on poultry farming in Tanzania. Due to the initiative’s success, comparable programs in other areas may be modeled after it, assisting in the economic and sustainable development of rural communities and rescuing thousands of families from poverty.
In Tanzania’s efforts to modernize and improve chicken farming, this project marks a major accomplishment. It tackles important concerns of inclusion and equity by concentrating on women and youth, ensuring that the advantages of agricultural development are distributed widely throughout society. Many Tanzanian farmers stand to benefit greatly from the combination of enhanced breeds, all-inclusive support services, and capacity training, which should have long-lasting positive effects.
