How Tanzanian poultry can access foreign markets-FAO
DODOMA: The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has urged Tanzanian poultry farmers to strengthen biosecurity measures, adhere to vaccination schedules and reduce antimicrobial use in broiler production to enable them to access expanding regional and international markets.
FAO National Coordinator for the Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Programme, Dr Elibariki Mwakapeje, made the remarks at the ongoing 2026 National and International Nanenane Exhibition at the Dr John Samuel Malecela Grounds in Dodoma.
Dr Mwakapeje said the adoption of recommended poultry management practices can simultaneously reduce the drivers of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) while improving farm productivity and profitability.
He said FAO introduced Farmer Field Schools in three mainland regions namely Arusha, Morogoro and Dar es Salaam, to generate high-quality farm-level data on antimicrobial use, antimicrobial resistance and poultry production economics.
The initiative aims to assess whether improved biosecurity and other recommended management practices can reduce the need for antimicrobial use while increasing farmers’ incomes.
To support the pilot programme, FAO provided participating farmers with essential inputs, including day-old chicks, feed, feeders, drinkers, disinfectants, personal protective equipment and sprayers.
According to him, each Farmer Field School has operated for six consecutive months since September 2024, covering three production cycles of five weeks each, with two-week intervals between the cycles.
Dr Mwakapeje said preliminary results from the pilot programme are encouraging, with farmers in Arusha, Morogoro and parts of Dar es Salaam significantly improving biosecurity practices and adhering to vaccination schedules—two key measures for limiting antimicrobial use in broiler production.
He noted that broilers raised under the Farmer Field School programme reached an average weight of 2.5 kilogrammes, compared with less than 1.5 kilogrammes for birds of the same age raised outside the programme.
The improved production performance has also increased farmers’ earnings, with income rising to as much as 15,000/- per bird, up from approximately 7,000/- previously.
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“The Farmer Field School pilot has proven to be a transformative model, empowering farmers with practical knowledge that strengthens animal health, reduces reliance on antimicrobials and improves profitability,” Dr Mwakapeje said.
Looking ahead, he said FAO has introduced the RENOFARM system to further strengthen the poultry sector through the “On-Farm 5Gs” approach, which focuses on Good Health Services, Good Production, Good Alternatives, Good Incentives and Good Connections.
The initiative is expected to improve poultry productivity, promote responsible antimicrobial use and enhance the competitiveness of Tanzanian poultry products in regional and international markets.
Some local poultry farmers who spoke to reporters at the exhibition said that since enrolling in the project, they have reduced operating costs and improved their products, which are now highly preferred in the market due to their quality.
