Innovative Dutch-Tanzanian Partnership Aims to Revolutionize Poultry Health Management

Dar es Salaam, February 10, 2025 – In an ambitious move to elevate Tanzania’s poultry industry to global standards, the Netherlands has joined forces with the Tanzania Veterinary Laboratory Authority (TVLA) to launch a groundbreaking initiative to enhance poultry disease management nationwide. This collaboration was officially inaugurated yesterday in Dar es Salaam by Prof. Riziki Shemdoe, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries.

Funded by the Netherlands Enterprise Agency, this strategic partnership focuses on bridging critical gaps in animal health through robust capacity building, extensive knowledge exchange, and the integration of cutting-edge technological innovations in disease diagnosis and management.

During the launch, Prof. Shemdoe emphasized the initiative’s critical role in bolstering national efforts to control poultry diseases, which are pivotal for securing food safety and enhancing the economic viability of the poultry sector—a key livelihood source for many Tanzanians, particularly the youth. “This initiative is not just about disease control; it’s about transforming our approach to poultry health through advanced diagnostics and sustainable practices that align with global standards,” Prof. Shemdoe explained.

The project is poised to fast-track the implementation of the National Livestock Vaccination Strategy (2024-2029), which has been rolled out in phases and supported by a substantial allocation of 28.1 billion TZS. This strategy is integral to enhancing poultry health management and is expected to catalyze significant improvements in both domestic and regional trade in livestock and related products.

Ambassador Wiebe de Boer highlighted the comprehensive nature of this partnership, which extends beyond financial support to include an exchange of expertise and resources. “The Royal GD Animal Health’s involvement brings a wealth of experience in handling over five million laboratory analyses annually, which will be instrumental in developing local capabilities for rapid and accurate disease diagnosis,” he said.

The launch event also addressed the educational component of the initiative, with Dr. Mfaume Simbah, a veterinarian and technical manager at Silverlands Tanzania, discussing the pressing need for better education among farmers regarding vaccine usage and antimicrobial stewardship. “Misuse of antimicrobials and poor vaccination practices are prevalent challenges that compromise vaccine efficacy and, by extension, poultry health,” Dr. Simbah noted. He stressed the importance of proper training and resources to combat these issues effectively.

This partnership is also connected to the broader ‘Building a Better Tomorrow: Youth Initiative for Agribusiness’ (BBT-YIA), which encourages Tanzanian youth to engage in agribusiness as a viable and profitable employment path. By linking these initiatives, the project not only aims to control diseases but also to empower young men and women in Tanzania, turning agribusiness into a cornerstone of economic and social development.

As this Dutch-Tanzanian partnership takes shape, its impact is expected to resonate through the corridors of the poultry industry, setting a benchmark for international cooperation in agricultural development. This initiative represents a proactive approach to tackle the dual challenges of food security and economic development through sustainable agriculture, setting a promising precedent for similar collaborations in the future.