In an effort to strengthen the livestock trade and enhance poultry health management, Tanzania and the Netherlands have started a ground-breaking campaign to tackle poultry diseases. The Netherlands Embassy and Tanzania’s Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries collaborated on the project, which was introduced in Dar es Salaam. It aims to improve information sharing and use contemporary technologies into the nationwide control of poultry diseases.
At the launch event, Professor Riziki Shemdoe, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries, stressed the initiative’s importance in addressing animal health issues. The Tanzania Veterinary Laboratory Authority (TVLA) will play an important role in project implementation. Prof. Shemdoe remarked that this collaboration is a watershed moment for both countries because it will improve not just poultry disease prevention but also national food security.
The project focuses on comprehensive knowledge exchange and the adoption of advanced laboratory diagnostics and technologies. Prof. Shemdoe highlighted that the initiative would enhance laboratory diagnostics, introduce new technologies for disease identification, and strengthen the country’s ability to manage poultry health effectively. This effort will be instrumental in increasing productivity and sustaining the poultry sector.
Additionally, Prof. Shemdoe acknowledged the role of poultry farming in unlocking economic opportunities for young men and women in Tanzania. He stressed that poultry farming is a vital component of the agribusiness sector, offering employment opportunities and contributing to poverty alleviation. Under President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s leadership, the government has launched a national livestock vaccination campaign with a budget of 28.1 billion Tanzanian shillings. This campaign aligns with Tanzania’s broader National Livestock Vaccination Strategy, a five-year program (2024-2029) designed to enhance disease control and improve livestock productivity.
Prof. Shemdoe urged young people to engage in the Building a Better Tomorrow (BBT) program, which promotes youth involvement in agribusiness, including poultry farming. This initiative is expected to create sustainable employment opportunities and drive economic growth in the agricultural sector.
Ambassador Wiebe de Boer of the Kingdom of the Netherlands commended the collaboration, noting that the project is financed by the Netherlands Enterprise Agency and implemented by TVLA in partnership with Royal GD, a Dutch organization specializing in animal health diagnostics. The ambassador recognized the Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries and TVLA for their dedication to improving the poultry sector but emphasized that more efforts are needed to ensure long-term success.
Ambassador de Boer highlighted the expertise of Royal GD, which conducts up to five million laboratory analyses annually and provides services to clients worldwide. He stressed the importance of effective disease management in sustaining the poultry sector and emphasized the need to strengthen TVLA’s diagnostic capabilities. He also pointed out the significance of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that formalizes the collaboration in poultry health.
He further mentioned that, in September last year, two Dutch delegations consisting of 11 major poultry companies visited Tanzania to conduct specialized training and explore business-to-business opportunities. This visit facilitated knowledge sharing and strengthened ties between Tanzanian and Dutch poultry businesses.
Robert Molenaar, an expert from Royal GD, underscored the importance of the poultry sector in ensuring sustainable farming and social well-being. He highlighted that the Netherlands is the second-largest agricultural exporter of animal products globally, after the United States, thanks to significant investments in farming technology. This expertise can be leveraged to support Tanzania’s poultry industry.
Dr. Mfaume Simbah, a veterinary doctor, scientist, and technical manager at Silverlands Tanzania, outlined some of the challenges faced by smallholder poultry farmers. He noted that many farmers lack knowledge of proper vaccine usage and struggle with issues such as improper water quality and quantity during vaccinations. Additionally, the misuse of antimicrobials during vaccination periods further complicates disease control efforts.
Dr. Simbah stressed that smallholder poultry production is crucial for food security and rural livelihoods, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. However, infectious diseases and limited knowledge of vaccination practices remain major barriers to improving poultry production. Through this collaboration, Tanzanian farmers will benefit from enhanced diagnostic tools, better training, and improved disease management strategies, ultimately strengthening the country’s poultry industry and boosting both domestic and international trade.
