For thousands of smallholder farmers in Tanzania, raising poultry is not only a vital source of food but also a vital source of income. Many of these farmers, however, struggle with issues including inadequate feeding methods, a lack of access to high-quality inputs, and a lack of expertise about managing diseases. Because of this, businesses such as Silverlands Tanzania Limited have incorporated farmer training into their marketing and operational plans. Silverlands’ Training Center Manager, Sarah Ndimbo, claims that their approach to training goes well beyond skill development and is a purposeful business investment that has several advantages along the value chain.
Silverlands Tanzania Limited, one of the leading poultry companies in East Africa, has embraced farmer training as a powerful tool to build trust and long-term relationships with smallholder poultry producers. Through structured training programs, the company educates farmers on best poultry practices, proper feeding techniques, biosecurity measures, and flock management. This not only improves the productivity and profitability of the farmers but also creates a reliable and quality-focused customer base for the company’s products, such as day-old chicks and feed.
The impact of this training extends far beyond individual farms. As farmers adopt improved practices, they contribute to higher overall standards in the poultry industry. For example, when farmers understand the importance of disease prevention and good hygiene, outbreaks become less frequent, protecting the health of entire farming communities. Moreover, as trained farmers experience success, they become ambassadors for Silverlands’ brand, helping to market the company’s products within their local networks.
By embedding training in their value chain, Silverlands enhances brand loyalty among farmers who now see the company as more than a supplier—they see it as a partner in their success. This approach helps secure customer retention and opens doors to market expansion as trained farmers scale up their operations and demand more inputs. It is a win-win situation: the company boosts its sales, and farmers experience increased income and better food security.
World Poultry Foundation (WPF), a global organization supporting sustainable poultry development, also recognizes the power of training as a strategic and impactful investment. WPF emphasizes that training, when integrated within the poultry value chain, delivers lasting results. It empowers farmers to become more resilient, knowledgeable, and economically independent. More importantly, it builds sustainable markets that uplift entire communities, especially in rural areas where opportunities are scarce.
Tanzania is not alone in adopting this model. In countries like Nigeria, Zambia, and Rwanda, similar training-centred approaches are being implemented by poultry firms and development partners. These programs focus not only on technical skills but also on business acumen, enabling farmers to make informed financial decisions and operate their farms more efficiently.
The experience of Silverlands Tanzania Limited showcases how farmer training can serve as a strategic tool to drive both business growth and community development. Training is not merely an expense—it is an investment that returns through customer loyalty, improved product uptake, and stronger, more sustainable poultry markets. As other countries across Africa adopt similar approaches, the poultry sector is poised for transformation that benefits all stakeholders in the value chain.
