By The Respondents Reporter
The Tanzania Livestock Research Institute, Tanzania Livestock Research Institute Northern Zone, has constructed a dam with the capacity to store 1.2 million litres of water to strengthen livestock feed production and help livestock keepers cope with the effects of drought.
The project is being implemented under a programme aimed at empowering livestock-keeping families and improving livestock production systems while contributing to sustainable food security in the country.
The dam will provide reliable water for irrigation activities at a demonstration farm dedicated to livestock feed production.
According to officials, the reservoir can support irrigation on a one-acre demonstration farm for up to three months without being refilled, a move expected to improve fodder production even during prolonged dry spells caused by climate change.
Speaking after inspecting the project, Deputy Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries responsible for the livestock sector, Dr Fabian Madele, said the investment forms part of the government’s broader strategy to modernise the livestock sector through technology and improved production systems.
“The presence of this dam provides livestock keepers with an opportunity to practically learn modern methods of fodder production and the proper use of irrigation systems, which will help improve productivity in livestock keeping,” said Dr Madele.
He added that investment in fodder production remains one of the key strategies for ensuring livestock receive adequate nutrition and improving productivity among pastoralists and livestock farmers.
TALIRI Northern Zone Director, Dr Heriel Massawe, said the dam will support irrigation activities across 300 acres of land set aside for the production of livestock fodder and fodder seeds.
Project Coordinator Ms Mwanavita Jambia said the initiative is funded by the German development agency, Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit, through Argentina’s National Institute of Agricultural Technology, National Institute of Agricultural Technology, at a cost of Sh105.5 million.
She said the project is intended to support research activities, strengthen TALIRI’s capacity in the production of fodder and fodder seeds, and provide livestock keepers with practical training on improved fodder production techniques.
Apart from constructing the dam, the project has also implemented several other activities, including fencing two acres of land, clearing 10 acres and removing tree stumps, as well as establishing a 3,200-square-metre demonstration farm for training and research on livestock feed production.
