Milk intake rate remains low in Tanzania

DODOMA: TANZANIANS have been urged to consume more milk for their health as the annual per capita milk consumption in Tanzania stands at only 67.5 litres, far below the recommended 200 litres.

Moreover, the consumption of other livestock products, including meat, fish and eggs, remains significantly below the levels recommended by the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), despite the country’s vast livestock resources.

Speaking during a review meeting on Tanzania’s progress in fulfilling its commitments under the Nutrition for Growth (N4G) Summit, an expert from the Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries, Dr Charles Lugamara said that meat consumption in the country is only 16 kg per person per year, compared to the FAOadvised 50 kg. Similarly, egg and fish consumption stands at 107 kg and 7.9 kg per person, respectively, against the recommended 300 kg and 20 kg.

“In addressing malnutrition, the ministry is prioritizing production to ensure food security in communities,” Dr Lugamara stated.

He further elaborated on the ongoing School Milk Programme (SMP), coordinated by the ministry, the Tanzania Dairy Board and various stakeholders.

The programme aims at enhancing milk consumption among schoolchildren through an organised framework for its implementation.

ALSO READ: Makatapola farmers seek milk market

“So far, 101,104 students, accounting for only one per cent of the total school population, have benefited from the programme. Among them, 98,996 are from primary schools, while 2,108 are secondary school students,” he said.

Currently, only 136 schools in seven regions including Mbeya, Dodoma, Kilimanjaro, Dar es Salaam, Ruvuma, Mwanza and Arusha are implementing the programme.

Meanwhile, Mr Joseph Chiduo from the Tanzania Food and Nutrition Centre (TFNC) emphasised the need for tangible actions and multisectoral collaboration to achieve the country’s nutrition targets.

“Combating malnutrition effectively requires coordinated interventions across various sectors and strong government policies,” he asserted.

On her part, Assistant Director for Nutrition Services at the Ministry of Health, Ms Neema Joshua, stressed the importance of strategic planning in delivering Tanzania’s nutrition commitments.

“The implementation has been ongoing since 2013 and progress is measured in two ways, whether the programme has been executed and whether it has achieved its goals. Although we have made significant strides, we have yet to fully reach the set targets,” she noted.

She further pointed out that indicators show positive outcomes, citing increased consumption of diverse foods and stronger stakeholder engagement in nutrition programmes.