The recently published World Bank’s 2024 Tanzania Economic Update report, Harnessing the Opportunity for a Climate-Smart and Competitive Livestock Sector in Tanzania, should be a wake-up call for meaningful reform and transformation. It underscores the livestock sector’s immense potential while highlighting its significant underperformance.
According to the report, livestock provides income-generating opportunities along the value chain, supporting 33 per cent of the population or 4.6 million households. Yet, despite its vital contribution to the gross domestic product and its potential for more robust growth with strategic investments, the sector remains woefully underfunded.
To set Tanzania’s livestock sector on a path to sustainable development and economic contribution, the report recommends a public investment of US$546 million between 2024 and 2029. This investment would represent a fivefold increase over previous budgets and a 50 per cent increase from the 2023/24 budget.
In 2022, livestock contributed a modest 7.4 per cent to Tanzania’s GDP and 26.1 per cent to agricultural GDP (AgGDP). This pales in comparison to Ethiopia, where the sector accounts for 19 per cent of GDP and 45 per cent of AgGDP, and Kenya, with contributions of 12 per cent and 40 per cent, respectively.
These numbers underscore a stark reality: Tanzania is punching below its weight in livestock production despite being home to nearly half of Africa’s livestock population.
A multifaceted approach
Unlocking our ‘sleeping giant’ requires a multifaceted approach integrating private and public sectors. As one of the stakeholders, my experience working with the National Ranching Company (NARCO), a state-owned enterprise managing nearly 50,000 hectares, has shown me the untapped potential within our reach.
NARCO as a catalyst for modernisation: Since its establishment as a fully government-owned entity, NARCO has held the mandate, expertise, and government support to lead the modernisation of Tanzania’s livestock sector.
However, to realise this vision, NARCO must undergo strategic reform. It should evolve into a centre of excellence, fully equipped with financing, human resources, and modern corporate practices aligned with national priorities and climate change challenges.
A revamped mission for NARCO could read: “To promote innovative, sustainable, commercially-oriented, and modern livestock practices for global competitiveness through the adoption of best practices.”
NARCO should transcend its role as a mere landlord to become an enabler and an agent of change in the livestock sector.
Several strategic actions for transformation should also be taken, including applying
improved breeding programmes. NARCO should lead animal breeding programmes by, for instance, offering their disease-resistant Boran cattle breed across the country, boosting the uptake of Artificial Insemination (AI), and establishing pedigree breeding centres.
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For instance, the National Artificial Insemination Center (NAIC) is functional but needs expanded resources to serve remote areas like Kakunyu in Kagera. Liquid nitrogen, which is essential in the delivery of AI, is not available in all regions.
NARCO will also need to enhance the value chain by investing in animal feed production, constructing modern abattoirs, and providing animal husbandry training. By doing so, NARCO can significantly improve the quality and marketability of Tanzanian livestock products.
As global demand for animal products rises, NARCO should position Tanzanian beef, veal, lamb, and goat meat in international markets. The Chinese market, for example, is vast, and we should aim ambitiously to secure a foothold.
NARCO should also seek to collaborate with the private sector. The leased ranches, owned by experienced private operators, should collaborate with NARCO to improve breeds, adopt modern practices, and access credit for infrastructure and stock upgrades.
Leveraging tools like RFID tags for livestock tracking can also improve lineage, health records, and quality assurance. This technology is already in use in neighbouring countries like Kenya and Zambia.
Livestock management must also incorporate climate resilience strategies. With livestock contributing 14.5 per cent of global greenhouse emissions (FAO, 2017), NARCO should integrate ESG principles and lead sustainability initiatives. Tanzania’s recent inclusion in the Enhanced Cooperation Framework for Scaled-Up Climate Action offers a golden opportunity for this transformation.
To succeed, NARCO should transition into a strategic, developmental entity, focusing on supporting external market development for Tanzanian livestock, supervising and ensuring the quality of animals, providing fee-based veterinary services and vaccination programmes; acting as a think tank and advisor on livestock policies and strategies; and establishing incubation centres for commercial livestock best practices.
NARCO must also facilitate innovative financing solutions, such as using livestock as collateral, to unlock the sector’s potential.
To modernise Tanzania’s livestock sector, we need robust public-private partnerships, targeted funding, and a commitment to sustainability. With strategic reforms, NARCO can spearhead this transformation, leveraging its vast resources to position Tanzania as a leader in global livestock markets.
The World Bank’s report is a timely reminder that change is overdue. We must act decisively and ambitiously to turn the livestock sector into a thriving pillar of our economy.
Albert Rweyemamu is a rancher at Royal Farm in Missenyi, Kagera. He can be reached via email at rweyemamualbert@gmail.com or on X at @AlbertRweyemam6. These are the writer’s own opinions and do not necessarily reflect the viewpoints of The Chanzo. Do you want to publish in this space? Contact our editors at editor@thechanzo.com for further inquiries.
One Response
Dear Albert,
Your article is worth reading it has nice ideas.
When you come over to Tanzania lets plan to meet for you to know our ideas of the Livestock Sector.