The government has stepped up efforts to strengthen livestock and fisheries production through closer collaboration with development partners, with a focus on improving the availability of quality fish and poultry feed.
Minister for Livestock and Fisheries, Ambassador Dr Bashiru Ally Kakurwa, met a team of experts from Gatsby Africa on Friday in Dodoma to discuss a long-term strategy aimed at increasing investment in aquaculture and expanding the production of fish and poultry feed.
The meeting, held at the Ministry's offices in Mtumba Government City, focused on opportunities for joint investment in feed raw materials, the adoption of modern production technologies and strengthening value chains across the livestock and fisheries sectors.
Dr Bashiru said the government remains committed to creating an enabling environment for development partners and the private sector to invest in projects that boost productivity, create jobs and increase incomes for livestock keepers and fish farmers.
He noted that access to affordable, high-quality feed is essential for improving productivity in both aquaculture and poultry farming, making partnerships with institutions such as Gatsby Africa critical to achieving the government's agricultural development objectives.
Gatsby Africa's Programme Director, Mr Yisambi Mwanshemele, said the proposed initiative seeks to expand fish and poultry feed production through greater use of soybeans as a key raw material.
He said the project will support investment in feed ingredient production, promote innovative technologies, build the capacity of producers and encourage greater private-sector participation in the industry.
According to Mr Mwanshemele, the initiative is expected to improve the availability of quality fish and poultry feed, lower production costs, enhance the competitiveness of livestock and fisheries products and stimulate economic growth and employment.
The programme aims to reach approximately 300,000 livestock keepers and fish farmers.
The two sides agreed to develop a comprehensive strategy for fish and poultry feed production and continue technical discussions to establish a framework for implementing priority areas of cooperation aimed at advancing Tanzania's livestock and fisheries sectors.
