Minister for Livestock and Fisheries, Ambassador Dr Bashiru Ally Kakurwa, has held strategic talks with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) Resident Representative in Tanzania, Dr Nyabenyi Tipo, to strengthen cooperation aimed at accelerating the growth of the livestock and fisheries sectors.
The meeting, held on January 29, 2026, at the Ministry’s offices in Kambarage Tower, Dodoma, focused on expanding technical and development partnerships to enhance productivity, improve livelihoods and reinforce national food security.
Dr Tipo used the occasion to formally introduce herself and congratulate Dr Bashiru on his recent appointment by President Samia Suluhu Hassan as Minister for Livestock and Fisheries.
Speaking during the discussions, Dr Bashiru said the Sixth Phase Government has allocated significant budgetary priority to productive sectors, including agriculture, livestock and fisheries, as part of broader efforts to stimulate economic growth and improve the welfare of Tanzanians.
He noted that FAO’s ongoing interventions in these sectors complement government initiatives to boost production, strengthen value chains and raise incomes among livestock keepers and fishers.
He reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to sustaining and expanding its partnership with FAO, stressing that joint efforts are essential to enhancing food security, promoting sustainable resource use and building resilience in rural communities.
Dr Tipo commended Tanzania for its steady progress in strengthening the contribution of productive sectors to national economic performance. She pledged FAO’s continued support in helping the country raise the sector’s contribution to Gross Domestic Product from the current five percent to 6.5 percent in the coming year.
FAO has been collaborating closely with the Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries in areas such as livestock disease control through vaccination programmes, aquaculture development, and initiatives to empower farmers and fishers to increase production while improving food safety and nutrition.
The engagement is expected to deepen sectoral reforms, expand investment opportunities and support Tanzania’s drive toward sustainable economic growth anchored in livestock and fisheries development.