Deputy Prime Minister Hon. Dr. Doto Biteko Opens Poultry Futures Forum 2024: A Call for Regional Cooperation in Agriculture

Dar es Salaam, October 16, 2024 – The Poultry Futures Forum 2024 kicked off today in Dar es Salaam with a keynote address delivered by Tanzania’s Deputy Prime Minister, Hon. Dr. Doto Biteko, who represented Vice President Hon. Dr. Philip Mpango. Bringing together delegates from across Africa, including representatives from Malawi, Botswana, Mozambique, and beyond, the forum serves as a critical platform for fostering collaboration, innovation, and growth within the poultry sector—an increasingly vital part of Africa’s food security strategy.

A Consultative Platform for Shared Learning
In his opening remarks, Dr. Biteko reflected on the consultative nature of the event, underscoring its importance as a forum for dialogue and mutual learning. He emphasized that beyond formally opening the forum, the real purpose was to create a space where member states could come together to share experiences, exchange ideas, and find ways to complement each other’s efforts in agriculture and food production.

“This is a consultative forum where we want to share experiences across several member states and learn from each other, where we can complement each other,” Dr. Biteko remarked. He highlighted the importance of cross-border collaboration in addressing shared agricultural challenges, particularly as African nations work toward improving food production and reducing reliance on imports.

Welcoming Regional Delegates with Open Arms
In a spirit of camaraderie, Dr. Biteko extended a warm welcome to the international participants, particularly delegates from Malawi, Botswana, and Mozambique. Drawing on his previous visit to Botswana, where he represented President Samia Suluhu Hassan at a forum focused on natural resources, Dr. Biteko fondly recalled the rich cultural experiences, especially Botswana’s traditional dances, and expressed his gratitude for their presence.

“To our friends from Botswana, I remember the wonderful traditional dances, and I thank you for coming. Everyone from outside Tanzania, please feel at home. This is your home,” he said, adding that he hoped delegates would explore Dar es Salaam, and if possible, visit iconic destinations such as Zanzibar and Mount Kilimanjaro.

Strengthening the Poultry Sector for Food Security
Dr. Biteko’s speech reinforced Tanzania’s commitment to advancing its agricultural objectives in line with the resolutions of the Dakar 2 Summit on Feed Africa: Food Sovereignty and Resilience. He pointed to the poultry sector as a key component of Tanzania’s broader strategy to enhance food security and drive economic development.

“As we gather here, it is essential to remember that agriculture, and specifically the poultry sector, plays a critical role in ensuring food sovereignty for our nation and the region. Through collaboration and innovation, we can elevate this sector to meet the growing demand for food and nutrition,” he emphasized.

Empowering Youth in Agriculture: Recognizing the Next Generation
A key highlight of the forum was the recognition of young Tanzanian farmers who have made notable contributions to the agricultural sector. Dr. Biteko presented certificates to several outstanding youth, symbolizing Tanzania’s ongoing commitment to supporting the next generation of agricultural leaders. He underscored the importance of youth involvement in agriculture, recognizing them as the driving force behind the sector’s future success.

“The future of agriculture lies in the hands of our youth. We must continue to support and encourage them to lead the way in innovative and sustainable agricultural practices,” Dr. Biteko stated, urging young people to embrace the opportunities available within the poultry sector and beyond.

A Pathway to Continental Agricultural Transformation
As the forum continues, Dr. Biteko concluded with a forward-looking message, stressing the need for stronger regional partnerships and collaborative efforts to ensure the long-term success of Africa’s agricultural industries. He expressed optimism that the Poultry Futures Forum 2024 would serve as a catalyst for effective strategies to boost food production and enhance agricultural sustainability across the continent.

“This forum is just the beginning. Our collective responsibility is to ensure that the discussions and strategies developed here are implemented for the benefit of all our nations. Together, we can achieve food sovereignty and resilience,” he said.

Dr. Biteko Directs Ministry to Boost Poultry Industry

In a bid to strengthen Tanzania’s poultry sector, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Energy, Dr. Doto Biteko, has called on the Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries to take bold steps in enhancing poultry farming.

He pointed out that under the leadership of President Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan, Tanzania has fostered strong relationships that have opened doors to various sectors, including the poultry industry. He cited that 55% of households in Tanzania, along with other Southern African countries, are engaged in poultry farming, primarily driven by women and youth. Tanzania alone boasts over 103.1 million chickens, comprising both indigenous and commercial breeds.

During the forum, Dr. Biteko directed the Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries to establish breeding farms for parent stock to produce chicks, set up modern centers, laboratories, and invest in advanced poultry slaughterhouses. He also emphasized the need for cold chain distribution systems, the establishment of local feed production factories, and the reduction of reliance on imported poultry feed.

“The Ministry must also invest in cages and ensure that poultry feed is locally produced, eliminating the need for foreign exchange to import such essentials,” he urged. Dr. Biteko encouraged stakeholders to continue partnering with the government in their roles, stating that the government has provided opportunities for everyone to engage in poultry farming as a source of income.

Dr. Biteko also extended an invitation to the private sector to participate in the poultry industry, emphasizing the potential for economic growth. He urged researchers to collaborate with the government to provide accurate findings that support the industry’s development without causing public alarm.

In his remarks, Minister of Livestock and Fisheries, Mr. Abdallah Ulega, highlighted the significance of this forum, noting that it stemmed from discussions held during the AGRA (Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa) meeting led by President Samia. He expressed gratitude to AGRA and Food Alliance for prioritizing the poultry sector, providing local farmers with a platform to learn and build connections.

Minister Ulega revealed that by 2030, poultry farming is projected to contribute 41% of protein intake in Tanzania. He stressed the importance of research collaboration with the government to prevent misinformation and unnecessary panic in the community regarding poultry farming practices.

Former Ethiopian Prime Minister and Chairman of the AGRA Board, Dr. Hailemariam Dessalegn, echoed the importance of poultry farming, calling it a vital source of protein, a secure market, and a significant job provider for youth. He emphasized that platforms like this forum are essential for sharing knowledge, addressing challenges, and fostering cooperation in the industry.

“Tanzania has demonstrated a collaborative approach, and I believe this will continue under President Samia’s leadership to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly the goal of ending hunger and poverty by 2030,” he said.