The meeting was called on by Tanzania Meat Board (TMB) where various stakeholders of livestock sector were invited.
The Event was on 2nd/August/2021
There were four categories who were invited, that is
- Producer Farmers (Wazalishaji),
- Processors (Wachakataji)
- Businessmen and
- Bank i.e Tanzania Agricultural Development Bank (TADB)
Hon. Deputy Minister invited all these groups and stated that the main aim of this is to make sure livestock keepers operate with modern technology and Tanzania becomes prosperous in livestock business as Market demand is very high both local and international
Hon. Ulega gave a special task to TMB, to prepare system database of all livestock producers in Tanzania for market purposes. This will make it easy to connect producers with Banks as well as processors because as it appears, Tanzania has many livestock keepers but they do not have knowledge on technical know-how, the available market, quality of breed needed and related opportunities.
There are processors like TANCHOICE, FROSTAN and ELIA FOOD, all need consistency supply of animals to slaughter and whatever they get currently is very insufficient. For example, TANCHOICE has been complaining to have been receiving insufficient supply of animals, particularly cattle, to slaughter that doesn’t satisfy their current need and factory capacity, and worse they don’t get animals from Pwani Region at all.
Hon. Ulega continued to insist that there is a very huge market on meat, and recently, Her excellency, President Samia Suluhu has even expanded this by inviting people from Saudi Arabia to buy meat from Tanzania. That being the case, we have a huge task of making sure all livestock keepers produce quality breed because it appears that is the biggest challenge we have. Tanzania has many livestock but most do not do it commercially but rather arbitrarily.
He ordered for meat processing Companies to have formal contracts with livestock keepers for consistency and reliable supply of animals. Already FROSTAN and TANCHOICE are doing that.
Most particularly, he tasked TMB to make official notice to the public for Tanzanians to be aware of this opportunity so as to encourage more people to do this business and TMB should act as a center between Producers, Processors and Banks thus a need for Database. TMB should also educate pastoralists about category of best breed of animals.
So far, TMB has extended its operations in 6 zones, that is East Zone, Middle zone, Lake Zone, Southern Highlands and south zone and they have officers who will be extending education on technical know-how and all fattening techniques.
A representative from TANCHOICE said meat demand is very high but supply of poor breeds discourages the market. They alone target at processing 4,500 goats and 1,000 cows per day but due to shortage of supply, they process 120-150 cows per day and 2,000 goats and sheep per day. It is still very low compared to demand since they have permit to export to 5 countries as of now. He sadly gave an example that Zanzibar which is part of Tanzania is importing meat from Brazil because of the good quality of the meat. This shows the seriousness of the problem and change must be initiated.
ELIA FOOD from Arusha also said most common challenge is availability of quality animals to slaughter. They target to export 5 tons of beef and 10 tons of goat meat, but unfortunately, they are able to export only 2 tons of meat. Another challenge is tax payments has been rapidly increasing thus making it difficult to do this business.
As for FROSTAN GROUP, they talked about the “THE RIGHT BREED”. Mr. Luc who represented FROSTAN stated that it will take even about 10 years for Tanzania to compete with International market because we don’t produce quality breeds animal that is needed by international market. Market is high as stated by others. So far, Boran is the best breed.
TADB Bank, explained about loan opportunities they extend to farmers including knowledge on technical know how as they have experts especially on animal fattening techniques. They stated that so far, they have extended loan facility to farmers of about 11 billion only in three years. They invited stakeholders to apply for loan to expand their businesses.
The TCCS chairman gave out brief about what TCCS does and encourages others to join the society so that they can benefit through the association. He also promised to visit various farmers in Mkuranga, Kibiti and Rufiji to share experience particularly on breeding right and quality breed. Hon. Ulega was happy to hear that some have taken the initiative and form a society of commercial breeders and insisted that this society should educate these subsistence farmers. This interaction will help TCCS to get even more members.
Charles from CanBe Farming LTD, who is also a member of TCCS, spoke about the importance of growing quality animal feed, particularly Hay producers. He mentioned that at the moment there is no commercial producers of quality animal feeds, particularly hay, unlikely neighboring country Kenya. He insisted that animal fattening will not be productive if there is no quality animal feeds, it will end up being costly and not attaining intended quality of meat particularly from small holders. Charles also assured the small holders about TADB assistance to small holders as he has already two fellow Masais who have benefitted with TADB under the Umbrella of CanBe Farming LTD.
Most farmers who attended the meeting were also happy to hear about TCCS and are ready to join this commercial group to learn the modern way of keeping livestock and get best breed that is needed in the market.
Apart from TCCS, stakeholders also asked TMB to use officers from Districts and even those from various wards to give education to subsistence farmers on best ways and practices for farmers to produce quality breed because they all agreed that is the BIGGEST CHALLENGE. One gave an example that on the last Eid of 21st July, 2021, there came Turkish people looking for cows for meat but it was very difficult for them as they were not satisfied with the type of BREED mostly available, and Hon. Ulega cemented on this that he himself has witnessed that Turkish community in Tanzania alone has been purchasing about 15,000 cattle per year and still isn’t enough.
He continued that Turkish community has started initiative to invest in livestock farming in Tanzania so they can produce quality they need. This being the case, we might loose the opportunity if change is not encouraged. We also have very high market from Comoro and Uganda.
Hon. Deputy Minister also talked about another great opportunity for those who are ready to grow pastures for livestock. The Government through National Ranching Company (NARCO) has a vast area for this opportunity and will make a public announcement before October, 2021 so that capable individuals can do this because others have complained about insufficient feeds for animals particularly sunflower and maize.
Lastly, Mr. Naweed promised to give out 3 Boran bulls to 3 farmers from the meeting, and Hon. Ulega pointed three serious people from that meeting that is, Alolo Ngamnoni, Natal and Kamunyu who will get this gift and this will be officiated by Hon. Deputy Minister himself on the scheduled day.
On the other hand, Mr. Charles of CanBe Farming Limited also promised to give out one Boran Bull, which will total of 4 Boran Breeding bulls from the TCCS. Hon. Deputy Minister commended the TCCS’s initiative to donate bulls to pastoralists.