The Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries, in collaboration with the National Land Use Planning Commission, has allocated 196,324.25 hectares of grazing land across 187 villages in 22 districts during the 2025/2026 fiscal year. This achievement brings Tanzania’s total gazetted grazing land to 3,686,026.08 hectares, providing critical security for pastoral and agro-pastoral communities facing increasing land pressure.

Land Use Planning: Foundation for Sustainable Pastoralism

Land use planning is fundamental to Tanzania’s livestock development strategy. As competition intensifies between livestock, crop agriculture, wildlife conservation, and other land uses, formal allocation and gazettement of grazing areas protects pastoral livelihoods whilst reducing resource conflicts.

The planning process involves participatory mapping of village lands, identification of areas suitable for different uses, and official allocation through village land use plans. Once approved and gazetted, these allocations provide legal protection for grazing areas and prevent encroachment by crop farmers or other users.

Geographic Distribution of Land Use Planning

During 2025/2026, land use planning activities covered districts across 17 regions, reflecting the geographic diversity of Tanzania’s pastoral areas. The regions include:

Northern Zone

– Tanga: Coastal and lowland grazing areas

– Manyara: Rift Valley pastoral systems

– Kilimanjaro: Highland pastoral communities

Central Zone

– Singida: Semi-arid pastoral and agro-pastoral areas

– Dodoma: Mixed farming systems with substantial livestock populations

– Morogoro: Southern highlands pastoral communities

Western Zone

– Tabora: Miombo woodland grazing areas

– Katavi: Remote pastoral systems

– Rukwa: Rift Valley pastoral areas

– Kagera: Lake zone pastoral communities

Lake Zone

– Shinyanga: Major pastoral region with large cattle populations

– Simiyu: Predominantly pastoral communities

– Mwanza: Agro-pastoral systems

– Geita: Emerging pastoral areas

Southern Zone

– Mbeya: Southern highlands pastoral systems

– Pwani: Coastal pastoral communities

– Mtwara: Southern coastal areas

– Lindi: Pastoral and agro-pastoral systems

Others

– Iringa: Southern highlands with significant livestock populations

This geographic distribution demonstrates the national scope of pastoral production systems and the government’s commitment to supporting livestock keepers across all regions.

The Planning Process

Village land use planning follows a structured methodology developed by the National Land Use Planning Commission with technical support from the Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries.

Stage 1: Community Mobilisation

Extension officers and planning facilitators meet village leaders and communities to explain the planning process and its benefits. Community members discuss land use issues, conflicts, and priorities for resource allocation.

Stage 2: Participatory Mapping

Village members, guided by technical staff, conduct participatory mapping exercises identifying:

– Current grazing areas and traditional migration routes

– Crop farming areas and expansion trends

– Forests and protected areas

– Water sources for livestock and domestic use

– Settlements and infrastructure

– Contested or conflict-prone areas

Traditional knowledge holders, often elders with deep understanding of local ecosystems and historical land use patterns, provide crucial input during mapping.

Stage 3: Land Use Zoning

Based on participatory mapping and technical analysis, planners delineate zones for different uses:

– Grazing areas: Land allocated exclusively for livestock

– Agricultural areas: Cropland zones

– Settlement areas: Villages and homesteads

– Forest reserves: Protected woodlands

– Water points: Rivers, wells, and livestock watering areas

– Multiple-use areas: Shared resources managed under agreed rules

The zoning process balances competing demands whilst ensuring adequate grazing land for livestock keepers.

Stage 4: Survey and Documentation

Licensed surveyors conduct cadastral surveys of allocated grazing areas, establishing precise boundaries using GPS technology. Survey data is documented in technical reports and maps showing grazing land boundaries, area measurements, and geographic coordinates.

Stage 5: Approval and Gazettement

Village land use plans undergo review by district councils, regional authorities, and the National Land Use Planning Commission. Once approved, grazing areas are gazetted through publication in the Government Gazette, providing legal status and protection.

Gazettement is crucial as it makes grazing land allocation legally enforceable, preventing encroachment and providing basis for conflict resolution when disputes arise.

Progress in Survey and Gazettement

During 2025/2026, significant progress was made in surveying and gazetting allocated grazing lands:

Surveyed and Gazetted Lands

By April 2026, 1,349,486.29 hectares in 365 villages had been surveyed and officially gazetted through Government Gazette Notices GN 597 and GN 718. This represents formal legal protection for substantial grazing areas, providing security to pastoral communities.

Gazettement prevents:

– Encroachment by crop farmers

– Illegal land sales or allocations

– Unauthorised settlements on grazing land

– Land grabbing by powerful interests

With legal protection, livestock keepers can invest confidently in pasture improvement, water development, and infrastructure knowing their rights are secure.

Areas Under Review

An additional 216,971.56 hectares in 114 villages have been surveyed and are undergoing final review before gazettement through Government Gazette Notice GN 248. Once this process completes, these areas will join the protected grazing land estate.

The review process ensures that allocations comply with technical standards, respect existing rights, and align with national land policies before receiving legal protection through gazettement.

Cumulative Achievement

The 2025/2026 allocations increased Tanzania’s total gazetted grazing land from 3,489,701.13 hectares in 2024/2025 to 3,686,026.08 hectares—an addition of 196,324.95 hectares. This steady annual expansion of protected grazing land demonstrates sustained commitment to pastoral development.

However, this total represents only a fraction of Tanzania’s actual grazing land. Much pastoral land remains under customary tenure without formal legal protection. The Ministry’s ongoing planning programme aims to gradually formalise all grazing areas, providing comprehensive protection for pastoral livelihoods.

Water Infrastructure for Livestock

Adequate water supply is fundamental to productive livestock systems. The Ministry has systematically documented water infrastructure serving pastoral communities and supports rehabilitation where needed.

Water Source Inventory

During 2025/2026, the Ministry identified and documented 223 water sources (dams and natural water bodies) across 14 local government authorities. These water points serve approximately 925,830 animals including:

– 668,733 cattle

– 159,773 goats

– 97,324 sheep

The documented authorities include:

– Rorya, Serengeti, Butiama, Tarime, Bunda (Mara/Lake zone)

– Musoma, Buchosa (Lake zone)

– Mpwapwa, Manyoni, Bahi, Kongwa (Central zone)

– Dodoma Urban (Central zone)

– Kilwa, Mkuranga (Coast zone)

Water Infrastructure Rehabilitation

Many documented water sources require rehabilitation to improve storage capacity, water quality, and accessibility. The Ministry is working with local authorities to prioritise investments in:

– Dam wall repairs to prevent leakage and failure

– De-silting to restore storage capacity

– Protection from contamination

– Development of livestock watering points separate from human water collection

– Installation of pumping systems for deep water access

Rehabilitated water sources improve livestock productivity by ensuring year-round water availability, reduce human-wildlife conflicts around water points, and support sedentarisation of pastoral communities where appropriate.

Pasture Seed Production Revolution

Tanzania has achieved remarkable growth in pasture seed production, increasing by 85.5% from 222.54 tonnes in 2024/2025 to 411.25 tonnes worth TSh 1,782,555,250 in 2025/2026.

Production Sources

Pasture seeds are produced by:

Government Seed Farms: Specialised farms operated by the Ministry produce foundation and certified seeds of improved grass and legume varieties. Government farms maintain breeder seed stocks and multiply seeds for distribution.

Private Seed Producers: Commercial seed companies and individual farmers are increasingly producing pasture seeds under contract arrangements or independent commercial ventures. Private sector involvement increases seed availability and introduces market competition.

Seed Types

The seed production includes:

Improved Grass Varieties: High-yielding grass species adapted to different agro-ecological zones. Popular varieties include:

– Rhodes grass (Chloris gayana) for semi-arid areas

– Giant Setaria (Setaria sphacelata) for medium rainfall zones

– Napier grass (Pennisetum purpureum) for intensive dairy production

– Guinea grass (Panicum maximum) for diverse conditions

– Bracharia species for acid soils and tick control

Leguminous Forages: Nitrogen-fixing plants that improve soil fertility whilst providing high-protein livestock feed:

– Desmodium species for intercropping

– Lablab (Lablab purpureus) for rotation systems

– Lucerne (alfalfa) for irrigated dairy systems

– Stylosanthes for dry areas

Tree Seedlings: Multipurpose trees providing fodder, shade, and environmental benefits:

– Sesbania species for fast-growing fodder

– Leucaena for protein-rich browse

– Calliandra for cut-and-carry systems

Market Development

Growing demand for pasture seeds reflects:

– Increasing recognition of improved pastures’ productivity benefits

– Land pressure forcing intensification of livestock production

– Dairy development requiring high-quality forage

– Government extension promoting pasture improvement

– Climate change adaptation through drought-resistant varieties

The Ministry supports seed market development through:

– Quality certification ensuring genetic purity and germination standards

– Extension demonstrations showing improved varieties’ performance

– Subsidies for seed purchases by small-scale farmers

– Training for seed producers in production techniques

Fodder Conservation Achievements

Hay and silage production increased dramatically by 128.49%, rising from 14,185 tonnes in 2024/2025 to 32,411.31 tonnes worth TSh 8,025,414,000 in 2025/2026.

Hay Making

Hay production involves cutting grass at optimal maturity, drying to reduce moisture content, and storage for dry season feeding. Hay making enables livestock keepers to preserve excess forage from wet season for use when natural pasture is scarce.

The technology is particularly valuable for:

– Dairy farmers maintaining milk production year-round

– Fattening operations providing consistent high-quality feed

– Smallholders supplementing grazing during dry seasons

– Agro-pastoralists with limited grazing land

Extension services promote hay making through:

– Demonstrations of cutting, drying, and storage techniques

– Training in quality assessment

– Introduction of simple equipment (scythes, rakes, baling materials)

– Marketing linkages connecting producers with buyers

Silage Production

Silage involves preserving green forage through controlled fermentation in airtight conditions. Silage making is more complex than hay production but offers advantages:

– Independence from weather for drying

– Higher nutritional value retention

– Ability to preserve diverse materials (grass, crop residues, brewery waste)

– Longer storage periods

The Ministry promotes silage through:

– Training centres demonstrating silage making techniques

– Support for construction of silage pits and clamps

– Introduction of silage additives improving fermentation

– Quality testing services

Commercial Fodder Markets

The dramatic increase in fodder conservation reflects emerging commercial markets for hay and silage. Urban dairy farmers, feedlots, and livestock traders purchase conserved fodder, creating income opportunities for producers with surplus forage.

Market development requires:

– Quality standards for fodder products

– Transport infrastructure to move bulky materials

– Storage facilities preventing spoilage

– Market information systems connecting buyers and sellers

Extension Services Support

The Ministry’s livestock extension service provides critical support for pasture development and land use planning through:

Technical Advice

Extension officers advise farmers on:

– Appropriate grass and legume species for local conditions

– Establishment techniques for improved pastures

– Grazing management preventing overgrazing

– Fertilisation and maintenance of pastures

– Integration of pastures with crop systems

– Fodder conservation methods

Demonstrations

Demonstration plots at government stations and progressive farmers’ homesteads show improved pasture performance and management practices. Farmers visiting demonstrations can observe results and learn techniques directly.

Input Supply

Extension services facilitate access to:

– Pasture seeds and tree seedlings

– Fertilisers for pasture establishment

– Fencing materials for paddock subdivision

– Water harvesting technologies

– Simple farm equipment

Farmer Training

Training programmes build capacity in:

– Land use planning participation

– Pasture establishment and management

– Fodder conservation techniques

– Rangeland assessment and monitoring

– Conflict resolution over land resources

Climate Change Adaptation

Pasture management and land use planning contribute to climate change adaptation in pastoral systems:

Drought-Resistant Varieties

Research programmes identify and multiply grass and legume varieties tolerant of drought, enabling livestock production in increasingly variable climates.

Fodder Banking

Conserved fodder provides buffer against drought by ensuring feed availability when pastures fail. This reduces forced livestock sales during droughts and maintains breeding herds through difficult periods.

Grazing Land Protection

Formal allocation of grazing areas enables long-term management planning including:

– Rotational grazing systems preventing degradation

– Rehabilitation of degraded rangelands

– Protection of critical dry season grazing reserves

– Conservation of seed banks and plant diversity

Water Harvesting

Land use plans identify opportunities for water harvesting structures that:

– Capture rainfall for livestock use

– Reduce erosion and support pasture recovery

– Create drinking water reserves extending grazing seasons

– Enable settlement around reliable water sources

Challenges and Solutions

Despite progress, pasture development and land use planning face challenges:

Slow Gazettement Process

Survey, approval, and gazettement take considerable time, leaving allocated grazing areas vulnerable to encroachment during interim periods. The Ministry is working to streamline processes and expedite gazettement.

Resource Conflicts

Competition for land between livestock keepers, farmers, and other users generates conflicts requiring mediation and enforcement. Land use plans provide framework for conflict resolution but implementation requires sustained commitment from local authorities.

Limited Extension Coverage

Extension officer numbers are inadequate for comprehensive coverage of pastoral areas. The Ministry is training more officers and exploring digital extension platforms to improve reach.

Seed Availability Gaps

Despite production increases, pasture seed supplies remain insufficient for demand. Further investment in seed production infrastructure and private sector engagement is needed.

Investment Requirements

Pasture improvement, water development, and fodder conservation require capital investments many livestock keepers cannot afford. The Ministry provides subsidies and facilitates access to credit to support investments.

Future Directions 2026/2027

The budget for 2026/2027 prioritises:

– Continuation of participatory land use planning in additional villages

– Acceleration of survey and gazettement processes

– Expansion of pasture seed production to 150 tonnes

– Investment in irrigation infrastructure for seed farms at Vikuge (Pwani) and Langwira (Mbeya)

– Construction of four seed and fodder storage warehouses

– Rehabilitation of water sources in pastoral areas

– Training programmes for extension staff and farmer groups

– Research on climate-resilient pasture varieties

Conclusion

Tanzania’s investment in pasture management and land use planning provides foundation for sustainable livestock development. The allocation of 196,324 hectares and production of 411 tonnes of pasture seed during 2025/2026 represents significant progress toward securing pastoral livelihoods and intensifying livestock production.

As land pressure increases and climate variability intensifies, formal protection of grazing areas and improvement of pasture productivity become increasingly critical. The Ministry’s systematic approach—combining participatory planning, technical survey, legal gazettement, and agricultural extension—creates enabling conditions for pastoral communities to thrive.

Continued investment in these programmes will protect the livelihoods of millions of pastoral and agro-pastoral households whilst enabling Tanzania’s livestock sector to meet growing demand for animal products through sustainable intensification.

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For more coverage of East African pastoral development and land use planning, visit Kilimokwanza.org.