Dodoma hosts Nigeria officials eyeing livestock transformation

DODOMA: A delegation from Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Livestock Development has arrived in Tanzania to learn from the country’s Livestock Master Plan (LMP), as the West African state seeks to boost productivity in its livestock sector.

The delegation, led by the ministry’s National Director, Dr Ishiyaku Mohamed Musa, visited the Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries in Dodoma on Tuesday.

They were received by the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Prof Riziki Shemdoe, before embarking on a field visit on the outskirts of the city.

Welcoming the Nigerian mission to his office, Prof Shemdoe explained that Tanzania’s Livestock Master Plan focuses on six key areas, including breed improvement, pastures/water access, and animal health — all of which support the national vaccination programme.

“To counter a total of 13 livestock diseases, the government has allocated approximately 28bn/- for the implementation of a nationwide vaccination programme, thanks to the endorsement by President Samia Suluhu Hassan,” he said.

“Under the Livestock Transformation Plan, we are committed to enhancing extension services by equipping officers with necessary tools, including motorcycles to reach livestock keepers and ICT equipment to improve data collection,” Prof Shemdoe added.

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He further noted that the plan also emphasizes value addition in the sector and improving the overall business environment.

As a result of these efforts, Prof. Shemdoe stated, meat exports have risen significantly over the past three yearsfrom just 1,700 tonnes to 15,000 tonnes per year.

“With continued improvements to the business environment and effective implementation of the transformation plan, the Government of Tanzania aims to increase meat exports to 50,000 tonnes annually,” he added.

On his part, Dr Musa expressed gratitude to Tanzania’s Ministry of Livestock for warmly welcoming the Nigerian delegation, noting that Nigeria is in the process of developing its own livestock transformation plan.

“In addition to understanding how Tanzania has overcome challenges in transforming its livestock sector, our visit also aims to exchange experiences that can help improve the livestock industries in both countries — and across the continent,” he said. “We hope to learn a lot, and we appreciate the warm hospitality.”

Also, speaking during the visit, Dr Amos Omore, the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) Regional Representative for Eastern and Southern Africa, commended the Tanzanian government for its commitment to the livestock sector.

He noted that improved extension services will especially benefit young men and women by ensuring they have access to information and opportunities within the subsector.

The ILRI rep said that improved extension services will benefit young men and women because they will be reached for exploitation of opportunities available in the subsector.