Tanzania strengthens its poultry industry through cooperation with the Netherlands
The initiative focuses on improving chicken production, sustainability, and farmer training across the value chain.
TANZANIA – Tanzania is working with the Netherlands to modernize its poultry industry through a joint effort aimed at raising production, promoting sustainable farming, and training local producers with advanced technology and practical expertise.
The initiative was highlighted during the Dutch-Tanzanian Chicken Knowledge Exchange Seminar in Dar es Salaam, which brought together government officials, agricultural experts, and private sector representatives from both nations to discuss practical ways to improve the poultry value chain.
According to the organizers, the partnership will focus on sharing innovations in feed formulation, animal health management, and farm operations, helping Tanzanian farmers shift from traditional practices to modern systems.
Netherlands Ambassador to Tanzania Marjo Crompvoets said the cooperation builds on more than four decades of agricultural collaboration between the two countries and reflects a shared interest in supporting small and medium-scale farmers.
She added that the Dutch model’s success comes from the close interaction between government, academia, and private businesses, an approach she said could help Tanzania develop a more integrated and efficient poultry sector.
Crompvoets noted that Dutch poultry production has shown how collaboration and knowledge transfer can increase efficiency while upholding high standards of animal welfare and environmental responsibility.
She urged Tanzanian producers to take advantage of the partnership by adopting new tools and management systems that could make their products more competitive locally and within the region.
Agricultural Counsellor Bart Pauwels of the Netherlands Embassy also said that besides resources, the project seeks to provide farmers with the technical capacity to manage disease, enhance feeding efficiency, and improve breeding practices.
He explained that Tanzania’s poultry industry has strong potential due to rising domestic demand for protein-rich foods and a suitable climate for production but still requires a shift toward more scientific production methods to realize that potential.
The Tanzania Feed Manufacturers Association (TAFMA) welcomed the collaboration, with its Secretary General Sufian Zuberi Kyarua saying local feed producers would gain from Dutch expertise in developing affordable and high-quality animal feed.
Kyarua added that access to global markets and technical partnerships could help upgrade manufacturing standards and contribute to national agricultural growth.
For small-scale farmers like Zahor Abdallah Zahor from Lindi Region, the seminar offered insight into the benefits of commercial poultry production and the importance of modern technologies in overcoming financial and operational challenges.
The cooperation also includes education support, with plans to update poultry training programs in vocational institutions through collaboration between the Netherlands Embassy and Tanzania’s Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries.
The curriculum update aims to equip future farmers and technicians with the skills needed to operate modern poultry businesses efficiently and sustainably.
This partnership is expected to contribute to Tanzania’s broader agricultural transformation by improving productivity, creating employment, and strengthening food security through a more competitive poultry sector.
Sign up HERE to receive our email newsletters with the latest news and insights from Africa and around the world, and follow us on our WhatsApp channel for updates.
