The Government has set a December deadline for opening a TZS26 billion credit facility to help livestock keepers acquire quality dairy cattle, as part of efforts to raise milk production and improve incomes in the livestock sector.
The initiative, being implemented through the Climate-Smart Dairy Transformation Project (C-SDTP), seeks to address one of the persistent challenges facing dairy farmers: limited and delayed access to productive breeding cattle.
Under the plan, the Government intends to start with 405 heifers during the current financial year, with 56 pregnant animals from government ranches expected to be delivered to beneficiaries by December 15, 2026.
Speaking in Dodoma yesterday, Deputy Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries responsible for Livestock, Dr Fabian Magawa Madele, said improving access to quality heifers required coordinated action involving government institutions, financial institutions and private sector players.
He was representing the Minister for Livestock and Fisheries, Ambassador Dr Bashiru Ally Kakurwa, at a meeting involving livestock stakeholders, banks, private ranch owners, dairy processors and research institutions.
Dr Madele said TZS26 billion had been channelled to the Tanzania Agricultural Development Bank (TADB) to provide capital for a loan facility through which farmers could finance the purchase of dairy heifers.
However, the success of the initiative will depend on how quickly the financing arrangements are completed and whether farmers can access the animals at affordable prices.
The Government has also invested about TZS6.25 billion in strengthening artificial insemination services through the purchase of 10 superior breeding bulls, nine laboratory machines and two liquid nitrogen production plants.
The investment includes starter equipment for 60 artificial insemination technicians, in an effort to improve access to breeding services and expand the availability of quality genetic material.
To address implementation delays, Dr Madele said the minister had directed the ministry to establish a joint technical team to finalise, within 14 days, quality standards for heifers, indicative prices, supply schedules and loan conditions.
TADB has separately been directed to conclude agreements with partner banks so that the credit facility can become operational before the end of December.
The Tanzania Livestock Research Institute (TALIRI) and the National Artificial Insemination Centre (NAIC) have also been given 30 days to submit a plan for increasing domestic production of quality heifers.
The proposed plan will explore embryo transfer technology and sexed semen, which can help accelerate the production of animals with desirable breeding characteristics.
For farmers, the effectiveness of these measures will ultimately be measured by whether they can obtain productive cattle without facing prohibitive costs or lengthy delays.
C-SDTP coordinator Dr Lazaro Kapella said the project was also working to bridge the information gap between livestock keepers and suppliers of improved cattle, including importers.
He said the meeting was intended to connect farmers with reliable breeders and suppliers, enabling them to access information, maps and contact details according to the breeds they needed.
The approach is expected to make it easier for livestock keepers to identify suppliers and make informed decisions when purchasing breeding animals.
Nzega Urban MP Hussein Mohamed Bashe called for increased investment in breeding technology and the establishment of modern artificial insemination centres to improve livestock genetics.
He said research and technological innovation were necessary to address production challenges and improve efficiency in the livestock sector.
Meanwhile, Mbogo Ranch managing director Naweed Mulla welcomed the C-SDTP, saying it would help improve livestock productivity, particularly by expanding farmers' access to quality cattle genetics.
The initiative comes as the Government seeks to translate Tanzania's large livestock population into greater economic returns through improved productivity, stronger value chains and increased incomes for livestock-keeping households.