Dr. Bashiru directs Permanent Secretary to finalize strategy as Tanzania moves to formalize poultry industry
DODOMA – The Minister of Livestock and Fisheries, Ambassador Dr. Bashiru Ally Kakulwa, has directed the Office of the Permanent Secretary and technical staff at his ministry to ensure the National Poultry Development Strategy is completed and launched during the Nane Nane exhibitions in 2026.
Ambassador Dr. Bashiru issued the directive on Friday, May 22, 2026, while officially opening the High-Level Stakeholder Dialogue on Contract Farming, Agricultural Financing, and Farmer Organization Development in Dodoma. He explained that finalizing and launching the strategy will help formalize the poultry industry, which makes a significant contribution to the economy and food security.
“The biggest problem we have is that this sector, despite being large, has not been formalized nor given the status it deserves. That is why the ministry is preparing the National Poultry Development Strategy,” said Ambassador Dr. Bashiru. “I hereby direct the Office of the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries and technical experts: I need that strategy launched during the Nane Nane celebrations.”
During the stakeholder meeting, Ambassador Dr. Bashiru also called on financial institutions to increase affordable credit to youth and women involved in the value chains for maize, soya, animal feed, and poultry.
Animal Feed Production Reaches 897,750 Tonnes
Earlier, the Director of Grazing land and Animal Feed Resources, Dr. Asimwe Rwiguza, reported that animal feed production for the 2025/2026 season reached 897,750 tonnes. Of this total, poultry feed accounted for 610,470 tonnes, pig feed 197,505 tonnes, and 89 tonnes were for cattle, goats, and sheep.
Dr. Rwiguza noted that current demand for soya for animal feed production stands at approximately 275,000 tonnes, compared to the country’s current soya production of only 13,585 tonnes—exposing a significant supply gap.
Soya Development Strategy in Pipeline
The Assistant Director of Crop Development from the Ministry of Agriculture, Ms. Kissa Chawe, said that in response to increasing demand for soya in the country, the Ministry of Agriculture in collaboration with the Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries has prepared a strategy for developing the crop, which is expected to be launched soon to strengthen the value chain.
The High-Level Stakeholder Dialogue brought together representatives from commercial banks,farmer organizations; private sector actors including AKM Glitters; and development partners including Rikolto, IDH, and the Eastern Africa Grain Council (EAGC).
The meeting focused on three thematic areas: agricultural financing and risk-sharing in contract farming; governance and farmer organization strengthening; and policy and regulatory environment for inclusive contract farming in Tanzania.