THE TANZANIA POULTRY EXPO 2016
Preamble
The Poultry expo Tanzania is held annually and brings together various stakeholders in the
poultry industry including Poultry Associations, Feed Manufacturers, Breeders, and
manufacturers of Farm inputs, among others. The event also attracts professionals from both
the public and private sector. In 2016 it was held on October 7 and 8th at the Blue Pearl Hotel in
Dar es Salaam with the theme, “An Egg is Your Best Friend”. It drew exhibitors from Tanzania,
Kenya, South Africa and Hispania. About two thousand visitors made it to the show.
ACGG Tanzania and PICO –EA teams, who are conveners and implementers of the ACGG project
in Tanzania and NZUA Poultry Enterprises, a private sector partner shared the same booth at
the expo, in a bid to solidify the PPP ethos of the project. Similarly, Rabika and Msigani Poultry
Farms, both partnering with the project team to deliver brooding services for chicks to be
distributed to farms shared another booth. Visitors to the ACGG - PICO-EA booth got to learn
about the project’s Vision, Objectives and information about the chicken strains (Sasso and
Kuroiler) that are currently being tested. A photo gallery illustrated the whole process from egg
importation, hatching, brooding and final delivery to farmer households. The choice and use of
innovation platforms to catalyze the emergence of private sector led and sustainable poultry
value chains was also explained.
A large number of visitors to the expo patronized the ACGG booth, eager to know how to get
access to tropically adapted indigenous chicken such as Kuroiler. A lot of farmer showed
interest in being part of the project and innovation platform. One of the highlights of the event
was a panel discussion around the topic, “use of global chicken genetic resources endangers
conservation of local genetic resources”.
Issues that came up
 Poultry production has plummeted due to high feed prices owing to the introduction of
Value Added Tax (VAT) on feeds by the government of Tanzania. Many poultry
producers have failed to copewith this reality and have chosen to stop poultry farming.
The other negative effect is that Zanzibar imports a lot of poultry products that finally
land into the Tanzania mainland affecting the market. Stakeholders appealed to the
Government to stop charging VAT on feeds.
 Opportunities for the actors in the poultry industry-The production of Soya, which is a
key protein source for poultryfeed manufacturing is way below the requirements of the
country. The total production in Tanzania is utilized in only one month. There is an
opportunity for increased production.
 The Government is developing a comprehensive livestock improvement strategy that
will address many of the challenges that the sector is facing, including conservation
issues.
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Participants in the poultry expo urged to make good use of the experiences at the expo
to improve or invest in poultry production.
ACGG Tanzania and PICO-EA: Self Evaluation
What went well?
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Visitors-we had so many visitors to our booth both women and men and the youthwere
the majority. Most of them wanted to know where they could get the chicken strains we
are testing, Sasso and Kuroiler.
Turn up of the youth- Need to organize a side meeting during the 3rd Innovation
Platform meeting in November
Innovation Platforms (IPs)- A number of visitors showed interest in taking part in the
meetings to gain knowledge and learn about existing business opportunities
ACGG Partner Participation -There was NZUA Poultry Enterprises, MsiganiPoultry Farms
who are one of the hatchery partners and Rabika Poultry Farms, one of the brooding
Units. A good link was formed with poultry keepers. Silverlands Tanzania Limited (STL), a
private company that supplies the Sasso chicks to ACGG had a booth and farmers who
wanted Sasso chicks were directed there.
A Large scale farmer, Mbarali Rice Farms in Southern Highland Zone keen on
collaborating with ACGG Tanzania.
US- GRAIN in Tanzania interested in continued collaboration with ACGG
STL would like to have some feedback on how the Sasso chickens are performing. They
were excited to see some of the pictures from the communities, Sasso males in Tanga,
Eastern Zone having about 4.5 kgs and females 3 kgs at 18 months.
Interviews conducted indicate that the demand for poultry products is available but
marketing is still a big challenge (Noted in the IP meetings held earlier as well).
What did not go well?
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Many of the visitors did not understand ACGG well. Need to come up with a simple
Swahili version. All the knowledge sharing materials were in English. Need for
translation for future events
The panel discussion went well but the panel members were not that strong as those
who were contacted earlier were not available.
Late preparations- Given the experience we had in this expo, plan next year’s
participation well ahead of time and bring some farmers.
Some photographs
Visitors at the ACGG –Tanzania booth picking some knowledge materials and asking questions
NZUA Farm Enterprisesrepresentative shares and sells booklets on chicken management
Visitors at the STL booth as they receive information on Sasso chicks
Visitors at the Msigani and Rabika Farms booth
Summary of the Panel discussion notes
A panel discussion with the stakeholders in the poultry industry in Tanzania
(MajadilianoMubasharayaWadauwaTasniaya Kuku Tanzania)
Introduction
At the sidelines of the Tanzania Poultry expo, a series of presentations were held to sensitize
poultry farmers on best practices in the poultry industry. The meetings were well attended, at
times having about 200 participants present.
A 2 hour panel discussion was held on 8th of October 2016in the form of a debate to discuss an
emotive topic about the importation and use of improved chickens in Tanzania. The event was
attended by a large crowd of participants. The following is a brief account of what was
discussed.
Topic: Use of global chicken genetic resources endangers conservation of local genetic
resources (Uingizajinauendelezajiwa kuku tokanjeyanchiunahatarishauhifadhiwa kuku
wetuwaasili)
Moderator
1. Said Mbaga, Senior Lecturer, Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA)
Panelists
1. Sufian Kyarua: Businessman and secretary Tanzania Animal Feed Manufacturers
Association (TAFMA)
2. Charles Lyimo – Lecturer, Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA)
3. John Kaijage – Principle Livestock Research Officer, Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries
Development
4. Peter Makang’a - Grain Council
The moderator introduced the topic by giving a background of the differences between the
indigenous and commercial birds. He reminded the participants that there were two ways of
improving the performance chicken:
1. Through genetic selection
2. Introducing exotic genetics
The aim of such improvement was to improve productivity and profitability of the poultry
industry. He invited the panelists to give their opening remarks with regards to the discussion
topic.
1. Charles Lyimo:
a. There’s huge need for meat and eggs. Large and fast production needed
b. As population grows, food requirements increase
c. However, importation is a threat to local chickens
d. Our production system hasn’t allowed some traits to be expressed. We haven’t
researched the chickens enough to know what we will need 30 – 50 years to
come.
2. Sufian
a. Local poultry aren’t coping with the needs of the current world demands
b. We need to import chickens so that our own chicken can improve in
performance
c. As climate change causes changes in the environment, the new crosses will
adapt and their characteristics will change as well.
3. Kaijage
a. I oppose bringing in chickens
b. We do not have indigenous chicken in Tanzania or Africa. What we have are local
chickens – all poultry are imports, no chicken is native to here.
c. Local chickens must be improved to meet challenges and increase genetic
diversity
d. It will take a very long time to eliminate the indigenous genotypes through cross
breeding.
4. Peter - I will support more improvement
a. We need farmers to get chicken with better traits, so that their businesses can
be profitable. This can be done through importation of genetic materials or
genetic selection.
b. The production of local chickens is way below that of improved chicken
Moderator: We have no indigenous chickens in Tanzania. Will we ever get to western standards
where thechickens just keep producing and don’t brood?
5. Charles
a. It is true the chickens we call local came from the Indian subcontinent, but that’s
900 years ago. They have now adapted and acquired other traits that allow them
to cope with the environment.
b. A chicken that is local will adapt better to climate change compared to newly
introduced genotypes.
c. A chicken breed like Ching’weng’wefound in various parts of Tanzania has
adapted, produces well and has good meat yield but is threatened and could get
lost and become irrecoverable. So some conservation is in order.
Moderator: To improve and have better income requires a high yielding chicken. As you
improve chickens, how do we cater for the needs of those consumers that prefer local chicken?
6. Peter
a. The improved chicken that are used commercially came from the same genetics
we call local chicken, but they have been improved for specific traits.
b. All chickens, whether indigenous or commercial are similar. What we want is a
kuku that can keep pace with our requirements.
7. Charles
a. My concern is mostly for the coming 50 years or so. We need to improve our
chickens so that we can get the performance we are looking for. Right now we
have indiscriminate crossbreeding which will put our genetic resources at risk in
case of a catastrophic adaptation event.
8. Sufian
a. Indigenous chickens do not have boundaries of where they free range. Chickens
routinely mate with all genotypes, commercial as well and that has happened for
a long time.
b. As we import these germplasm, they will mate and mix, and adapttothelocal
environment and we will still call them local.
c. The WHO recommendations for number of eggs and meat to be consumed
cannot be achieved with the current production.
9. Peter Makang’a
a. For example, the Cobb poultry variety that is being sold. I was at a Cobb event to
celebrate 60 years of selection, where, coming from a base of 8 months to attain
1 kg they have improved the chicken to reach that weight in 21 days.
b. We may be headed to a future where the chicken may attain that weight in less
days.
10. Kaijage:
a. There’s two types of selection in the world. By nature and artificially through
human intervention. So whichever way, selection still happens.
b. The conservation of local birds cannot be done by the farmers. Conservation
should be undertaken in a specific location, where chicken genotypes can be
sourced and get use in the future even as we improve the chicken.
Moderator: Who to conserve?
11. Charles
a. Selection takes a long time. We need to do this improvement.
b. The scientific community needs to play a big role to preserve through
cryopreservation or insitu. The costs are high though. However, this diminishes
the effect of natural section that allows them to continuously survive in a
changing environment.
Audience
1. Both conservation and improvement are important. Conservation should be a
government service, and they should budget for this. If the government can conserve
maize, why not chicken
2. Imported chicken can have side effects, eg. Hormonal effects on males (some men have
been said to grow teats etc.). The trend globally is towards organic production, yet we
are advocating for these chickens. The experts should talk about the ‘bad’ effects of
these products.
3. As we continue to expand in population, God reveals new ways to help us access more
food. The new discoveries being made are by the hand of God. I think the improvement
of chicken is a good thing as it helps us get an easier life as God wants us to.
4. Improved chickens cannot hatch their own eggs. Most farmersin the village cannot
afford to buy incubators. How will these improved chickens affect the rural poultry
value chain?
5. We should teachfarmers how to better rear indigenous chicken. I have a modern
management system for my chicken and they are profitable, contrary to popular beliefs
and some of the comments made here. I think more farmers need to do this.
Is a business based on local chicken profitable?
1. Sufian
a. This business is not profitable when you consider all the costs involved.
b. Even though it is more expensive to buy local chickens, and a niche market can
be created for this, the number of people who can afford such a product are few.
2. Audience:
a. Many of the diseases are now due to the diets we ate. Most of these fast
growing chickens are very fatty and may be contributing to the diseases. All the
profit you get in the business, you leave all of it in hospital
3. Peter:
a. Let me dispel any fears for those consuming commercial chicken. The fast
growth of these chickens is due to the effect of long term selection for growth
and the superior nutrition (meeting all body requirements) the chicken gets. The
poor performance of localchicken is mostly due to the poor nutrition we give
them.
b. Most producers donot observe the withdrawal period after treating their birds
and the residual of these drugs may be detected in meat. However, most drugs
are designed such that the residual drug remaining in the carcass is not harmful.
Farmers need to observed proper management practices.
4. Kaijage:
a. Modern commercial chicken do not have any side effects if consumed. If they
would, we should be seeing many men with “breasts” and other side effects in
the countries where such chicken is the mainstay pf the diet.
Moderator
We need indigenous chickens as a base for genetic improvement and crossbreeding. At the
same time, conservation of these resources is important. What should we do to conserve and
improve at the same time?
1. Charles.
a. We need to develop platforms that incorporate business people and farmers so
that people can continuously discuss these issues and threats inherent in
importing chickens. This is a challenge for the government and experts.
Moderator: What do the policies for the modernization of the livestock sector say about this
subject?
1. Kaijage
a. It talks about characterization before conservation. We have efforts currently
ongoing in genetic characterization of indigenous poultry.
b. The livestock breeding act is still in the consultation stage. Once it is passed, then
laws can be put in place to allow for conservation.
2. Audience – Broiler trader
a. The market for broilers is becoming smaller since consumers are demanding for
meat from crossbred and local chickens. There are many myths such as men with
teats, women with beard, boys with low sperm count, supposed causing the
decline in the market for broiler meat.
3. Extension services are not reaching farmers especially those small holders keeping
commercial chicken.
Concluding remarks
1. Charles
a. The growth of the population has increased the demand for meat.
b. Poultry numbers and production have doubled in the last 6 years.
c. We need to cooperate with experts to ensure we have safe and nutritious food
d. Let us take comfort that all meats, raised in the proper way, are safe
2. Sufian
a. A chicken is like a car, if you add higher gear to move fast, then you use more
fuel. You treat chicken well, it grows fast. The feed our association members
produce are safe and yield a safe poultry product.
3. Kaijage
a. It is important to conserve our livestock genetics just like we do for many crops.
b. Our consumption of eggs and meat is below what WHO recommends. The myths
of side effects are just that, myths.
4. Peter
a. Market for chickens is available, it is large and growing.
b. Chicken is the most profitable meat source and many people will increasingly
move towards its consumption and production
c. We should stop feeding chicken feeds from dubious sources to ensure safety of
the product.
d. If poultry meat was a course of beards in women and breasts in men, in high
consuming countries like South Africa, the men would be having 6 teats each.
Moderator
Thanks to the panelists and the audience for participating. Let us share these insights with
others.
4:45pm
SOME FACTS
1. Tanzania produces about 800,000 – 1 million chicks per week
2. About 1300 people attended the expo in all the 3 days; The booths had 3 exhibitors
from outside TZ, 10 companies based in Tanzania, 1 project (ACGG), 3 government
agencies and 4 associations.
A section of the audience during the panel discussion