Focus on Poultry Futures Forum 2024 Poultry Farming: The Hidden Catalyst for Economic Growth in Tanzania’s Poorest Communities

By Juma Msafiri

As Africa continues to seek innovative solutions for food security and economic growth, all eyes turn to the Poultry Futures Forum, a pivotal event scheduled for October 16-17, 2024, in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Hosted by the Poultry Association of Tanzania in collaboration with the Food Action Alliance, AGRA, and SAGCOT, among others,  this forum promises to bring together key industry players—farmers, policymakers, researchers, and private sector leaders—who will share their insights and solutions for shaping the future of Africa’s poultry industry. With a focus on innovation, youth agripreneurs, and sustainable feed, this landmark event provides a platform to explore the sector’s potential to address critical issues like food security and rural poverty.

In this special feature, we delve into the critical role that poultry farming plays in Tanzania’s economy, especially in empowering women, youth, and marginalized communities, as outlined in the Livestock Sector Transformation Plan (LSTP) 2022/23 – 2026/27. The plan outlines ambitious goals to boost the sector’s GDP contribution and highlights poultry farming as a key driver of economic growth and poverty reduction.

This feature explores how poultry farming is set to become a cornerstone of Tanzania’s and Africa’s broader agricultural transformation, from addressing challenges to scaling up production to empowering smallholder farmers.

Poultry farming in Tanzania is emerging as a critical tool for transforming the lives of the country’s poorest populations, according to the Livestock Sector Transformation Plan (LSTP) 2022/23 – 2026/27. While poultry farming has traditionally been considered a subsistence activity, the latest national strategy emphasizes its untapped potential to drive income generation, economic growth, and social empowerment, especially among rural and marginalized communities.

Poultry’s Role in Poverty Alleviation 🌱

With 87.7 million poultry across Tanzania, the sector is becoming a cornerstone of economic growth. According to the LSTP, 53% of household income from animal husbandry comes from poultry farming, significantly more than from cattle, goats, or other livestock​. This is particularly crucial for Tanzania’s poorest households, where poultry farming requires minimal investment but offers a quick and consistent return, helping families improve their livelihoods.

What makes poultry farming even more essential is its accessibility. Unlike cattle farming, which demands large areas of land and substantial capital, poultry can be raised in smaller spaces and requires fewer resources. This makes it a viable option for smallholder farmers and low-income families, empowering them to engage in economic activities that can help them escape the cycle of poverty.

Scaling Up the Sector’s Potential

Tanzania’s LSTP 2022/23 – 2026/27 outlines ambitious goals to scale up the sector and increase its contribution to the national GDP. The plan seeks to boost poultry farming’s GDP contribution by 182% by 2026/27, driven by investments in disease control, breed improvements, and enhanced feed production​(sw1675840376-LIVESTOCK …).

This transformation is not just about increasing the number of chickens but also improving productivity and market access. By enhancing the infrastructure for poultry farming, the government aims to create more opportunities for smallholder farmers to grow their operations, access larger markets, and generate higher incomes.

Empowering Women and Youth Through Poultry Farming

A key focus of the LSTP is the empowerment of women and youth. Poultry farming has historically been an activity managed by women, making it an ideal sector for driving gender equality and youth employment. The plan highlights the importance of supporting these groups through training, access to better breeding stock, and improved market linkages. By doing so, the government hopes to foster sustainable growth directly benefiting marginalized groups, contributing to Tanzania’s broader development goals.

Food Security and Nutritional Benefits

Beyond economic gains, poultry farming is vital to food security. Chickens provide a reliable source of protein, particularly in rural areas where access to meat and dairy products may be limited. Eggs and poultry meat are affordable, accessible, and highly nutritious, making them an essential part of the daily diet for millions of Tanzanians. By supporting poultry farming, the LSTP boosts incomes and ensures that more households can access the nutrition they need for healthy, productive lives​(sw1675840376-LIVESTOCK …).

A Low-Risk Path to Economic Growth

For Tanzania’s poorest, poultry farming is one of the lowest-risk ventures within the livestock sector. Chickens are easier to raise than cattle or goats, and they breed quickly, allowing farmers to grow their flocks and their income in a relatively short period. This resilience against economic shocks makes poultry farming an ideal investment for families with limited financial resources.

The government’s focus on this sector, as detailed in the LSTP, underscores the transformative power of poultry farming. By addressing the challenges and opportunities within this sector, Tanzania is poised to turn poultry farming into a significant driver of economic growth, not only for individual households but for the nation as a whole.

As Tanzania looks to the future, the LSTP 2022/23 – 2026/27 serves as a roadmap for realizing the full potential of the poultry sector. The plan’s goals to scale up the sector’s GDP contribution, empower women and youth, and enhance food security represent a bold vision for the country’s development. By investing in poultry farming, Tanzania is laying the foundation for a more prosperous, inclusive, and resilient economy—one where even the poorest can have a stake in the nation’s growth.

In the plan’s words, scaling up poultry farming is not just a development strategy; it’s an opportunity to “drive sustainable growth for women and youth” while transforming the sector’s contribution to Tanzania’s GDP.

A Strategic Focus in ASDP II

As Tanzania continues its push for agricultural transformation, poultry farming is emerging as one of the most vital sectors, offering a clear path to economic growth, poverty alleviation, and food security. Under the Agricultural Sector Development Programme Phase II (ASDP II), the government has outlined an ambitious strategy to scale up poultry farming, positioning it as a key driver in achieving the nation’s agricultural goals.

A Cornerstone for Economic Empowerment

Poultry farming is deeply ingrained in Tanzania’s rural economy, particularly among smallholder farmers. According to the ASDP II, 53% of household income from animal husbandry in subsistence farming comes from poultry. This makes it the leading source of income within the livestock subsector, underscoring its importance in the lives of millions of Tanzanians, especially those in rural areas.

The ASDP II document emphasizes this role, stating: “Poultry farming remains a vital source of income for the country’s poorest households, especially women and youth, offering a sustainable pathway out of poverty.” This inclusion highlights the sector’s ability to uplift marginalized groups, which aligns with the broader government agenda of gender equality and inclusive growth.

Closing the Meat Production Gap and Boosting Exports

One of the major goals outlined in the ASDP II is to close the gap between domestic meat production and consumption. Poultry is seen as the solution to this challenge, with the potential not only to meet national demand but also to create a surplus for export. The government has set ambitious targets, aiming for a 35% surplus in poultry meat production by 2026/27, which would position Tanzania as a competitive player in the regional poultry market.

The ASDP II document reflects this vision, noting: “By investing in disease control, quality feed, and chick production, the poultry sector will be able to contribute significantly to food security and boost Tanzania’s export capacity in white meat.” This approach highlights the strategic importance of developing the sector to reduce reliance on imports and increase the country’s export earnings.

Engaging the Private Sector for Sustainable Growth

The ASDP II also calls for increased private sector engagement in poultry farming, identifying areas such as disease control, feed production, and market systems as critical points for investment. By encouraging private sector partnerships, the government hopes to unlock the full potential of the poultry value chain, improving productivity and profitability.

In the words of the ASDP II, “Private sector participation is crucial in enhancing the poultry value chain, from improving chick production to expanding access to better feed.” This strategy aims to ensure that the sector’s growth is sustainable and driven by innovation and investment.

Empowering Women and Youth Through Poultry

One of the most significant impacts of the poultry sector is its inclusivity. Poultry farming is often managed by women and youth, making it an ideal sector for driving gender equality and creating opportunities for the next generation of agripreneurs. The ASDP II prioritizes this aspect, stating: “Poultry farming plays a vital role in empowering women and youth, helping them generate income and improve their livelihoods.”

The government’s focus on gender-sensitive development aligns with its larger goals of promoting equitable economic growth and fostering youth employment. With the right support, women and youth in Tanzania can scale up their poultry operations, contributing to both their personal success and the nation’s economic progress.

Market Access and Value Addition

The ASDP II stresses the importance of strengthening market systems for poultry products. The government aims to stabilize prices, improve product quality, and support value addition, helping farmers gain better access to domestic and international markets.

“Expanding access to markets and improving product quality are essential to stabilizing the poultry sector,” the ASDP II notes. This focus on market development will not only ensure fair prices for poultry farmers but also enhance the overall competitiveness of Tanzania’s poultry industry.

The ASDP II lays out a clear roadmap for the future of poultry farming in Tanzania, with ambitious targets and strategic investments in place to drive growth. Focusing on private sector partnerships, inclusive growth for women and youth, and market development, the government is positioning poultry farming as a cornerstone of its broader agricultural transformation agenda.

As the ASDP II concludes: “With the right investments and partnerships, poultry farming can transform Tanzania’s agricultural landscape, driving economic growth, food security, and poverty reduction for the next generation.”

The future of Tanzania’s poultry sector looks bright, and with the strategic framework provided by ASDP II, the country is poised to unlock the full potential of this critical industry.