Tanzania is turning a new page in poultry production. A recent Dutch-Tanzanian Chicken Knowledge Exchange Seminar in Dar es Salaam brought together government leaders, industry experts, and private partners from both countries to chart a practical path from tradition to modern, competitive poultry farming. The message was clear and hopeful: with targeted knowledge transfer, better feed, and improved animal health practices, Tanzania’s poultry sector can grow faster, cleaner, and more profitable for small and medium scale producers.
Why this partnership matters now
Domestic demand for protein-rich foods in Tanzania is rising fast. The climate and market conditions are favorable for poultry growth, but many farms still rely on traditional practices that limit productivity and market access. The Netherlands offers a model that combines research, government policy, and private sector investment to raise standards while keeping sustainability and animal welfare front and center. By sharing that model, Dutch and Tanzanian partners aim to unlock the sector’s potential and create real opportunities for farmers across the country.
Practical focus areas that will change farms
The cooperation is built around practical, applied knowledge. The seminar emphasized three high impact areas:
- Feed formulation – Better, affordable feed can drastically improve growth rates and cut costs. Dutch expertise will help local feed manufacturers develop nutrient-dense rations tailored to Tanzania’s conditions.
- Animal health management – Stronger disease prevention and treatment practices reduce losses and stabilise production. Training will cover diagnosis, vaccination timing, and on-farm biosecurity that suit smallholder realities.
- Farm operations – From record keeping to flock management and breeding practices, modern operational techniques help farmers scale while keeping costs manageable.
These topics are not abstract. They were framed around real farm challenges and practical steps producers can take next season.
Local partners, local benefits
Netherlands Ambassador Marjo Crompvoets pointed to more than 40 years of agricultural collaboration between the two countries and said the Dutch approach thrives because it links government, academia, and the private sector. That kind of ecosystem creates momentum she said, and it is exactly what Tanzania can adapt to its own needs.
Agricultural Counsellor Bart Pauwels explained that the project will not just supply resources, it will build technical capacity. That means training farmers and technicians to manage disease, improve feeding efficiency, and make better breeding choices. The result will be healthier flocks and more consistent output.
The Tanzania Feed Manufacturers Association welcomed the move. TAFMA Secretary General Sufian Zuberi Kyarua noted that local feed producers stand to gain from Dutch knowhow on affordable, high quality feed. Upgraded feed manufacturing can open doors to regional markets and raise industry standards.
Voices from the ground
For smallholders the seminar was an eye opener. Zahor Abdallah Zahor from Lindi Region described how exposure to commercial methods and simple technologies changed the way he thinks about farming. For producers like Zahor, the pathway to greater income is not only bigger flocks, it is doing things smarter so each bird yields more value.
Vocational training will be a cornerstone of the partnership. Plans are underway to update poultry curricula in vocational institutions through collaboration between the Netherlands Embassy and Tanzania’s Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries. That effort aims to equip the next generation of farmers and technicians with hands-on skills to run modern, sustainable poultry businesses.
What success looks like
The partnership’s goals are straightforward and measurable: higher productivity, better feed conversion rates, reduced disease losses, more jobs in rural areas, and stronger food security. For policy makers and investors, success will show up as a more integrated poultry value chain that supports small and medium enterprises, creates employment, and connects Tanzanian poultry to regional markets.
For farmers, success means lower costs of production, steadier incomes, and a clearer route to scale. For consumers, it means more accessible, higher quality poultry products.
A cooperative model for African agriculture
This collaboration illustrates how international cooperation can be practical, respectful, and transformative. It is not about imposing a system, it is about adapting proven methods to local realities. The Dutch experience offers a toolbox that Tanzania can customize and own. When government, academia, and business pull together, local producers gain knowledge and markets, young people find vocational pathways, and national food systems grow stronger.
Tanzania’s partnership with the Netherlands moves beyond polite diplomacy into hands on learning and skills transfer. It is a pragmatic plan centered on training, quality feed, and better health management that will help farms compete and communities thrive. With committed local partners and clear technical support, Tanzania’s poultry industry has a real shot at a modern, more sustainable future.
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