Kagera residents urged to tap livestock, fisheries opportunities

BUKOBA: MINISTER for Livestock and Fisheries, Dr Bashiru Ally, has urged residents of Kagera Region and other parts of the country to seize opportunities in livestock and fisheries, saying fodder farming is increasingly becoming a profitable business.

Speaking recently after witnessing the launch of the Cooperative Bank Tanzania Kagera Branch, Dr Bashiru said there were growing opportunities in fodder seed production and the cultivation of livestock feed.

“Fodder is essential for livestock keeping, especially in the context of climate change. Prolonged droughts have reduced the quality of natural grasses in rangelands, causing many pastoralists to lose livestock,” he said.

He noted that regions including Manyara, Singida, Simiyu, Tabora and Mara had been particularly affected by drought, resulting in significant livestock losses.

Dr Bashiru directed the Tanzania Livestock Research Institute (TALIRI) to support livestock keepers with modern technologies for feed production and preservation to address shortages during the dry season and boost milk and meat production.

He said studies conducted by the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), TALIRI and the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) showed that many livestock keepers faced difficulties accessing quality feed during dry seasons, affecting productivity.

The Minister said silage technology could help address the challenge by preserving feeds such as maize, grass and other nutritious plants through fermentation.

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Under the technology, the feed is chopped, compacted and stored without air to preserve its quality and nutritional value for an extended period.

“This technology enables farmers to have quality feed throughout the year and sustain production even when pasture is scarce,” Dr Bashiru said.

He also called for training livestock keepers on the proper use of crop residues, including maize stalks, bean leaves, wheat, barley and rice residues, as animal feed after appropriate processing.

Highlighting government support, Dr Bashiru said his ministry was implementing directives from the President in line with the National Development Vision 2050, which promotes modern, productive and efficient livestock systems.

He said agriculture remained central to the country’s long-term development agenda, with increased productivity in crops, livestock, fisheries and forestry considered critical to economic transformation.

Dr Bashiru also highlighted the importance of the fisheries sector, saying it remained a key contributor to the economy through food security, employment, processing industries and domestic and international trade.

He said Tanzania’s marine and inland water resources offered significant opportunities under the blue economy, but stressed the need for sustainable management.

“Development of the fisheries sector should not focus only on increasing production. It must strengthen the entire value chain, from resource management and harvesting to processing, storage, transportation and marketing,” he said.

The sector, however, continues to face challenges, including climate change, illegal fishing, limited market access, information gaps and inadequate financing.

Dr Bashiru said collaboration among the government, research institutions, private businesses, financial institutions and fishing communities would be crucial in achieving long-term transformation.

Government figures show that fisheries contribute approximately 1.6 per cent to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and support about six million Tanzanians through fishing, fish processing, transportation, marketing and related activities.

The sector also plays an important role in nutrition, with fish accounting for approximately 30 per cent of the animal protein consumed nationally.

Dr Bashiru said as the population continues to grow, demand for affordable and accessible sources of protein is expected to increase, making sustainable investment in fisheries increasingly important.