Poultry Mission to Tanzania a gateway to fostering Modern Poultry Disciplines
The Vencomatic Group in collaboration with specialized poultry companies from the Netherlands organized a Poultry Mission to Tanzania, held from September 9 to 14 in Kilimanjaro and Dar es Salaam. This initiative was builds up to a poultry study tour from the Tanzania delegation early in 2024 which was financed by the Netherland Enterprise Agency and organized in collaboration with the Netherlands Embassy.
During the mission, ten European poultry experts engaged with local stakeholders, focusing on optimizing operations for middle to large-scale farmers and addressing pressing industry needs. The accompanying masterclass covered essential topics such as breeding, feed management, health, and value addition, serving as a vital platform for knowledge exchange and networking among poultry businesses. These issues were raised during the poultry mission formed a center of discussion during the advanced modern poultry disciplines. The initiative aimed to enhance the capacity for sustainable poultry production by equipping local farmers with the latest knowledge and practices.
The seminar in Dar es Salaam was officiated by Mr. Stephen Michael, the Director of Production and Marketing, representing the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries. At the conclusion of the seminar, all participants received certificates of attendance. This gathering marked a pivotal moment for poultry farming in Tanzania, strengthening bilateral relations with the Netherlands and solidifying partnerships with the local poultry sector, ultimately paving the way for a more sustainable and prosperous industry.
“I can assure you that our experts will work hand in hand with you to build a resilient and vibrant poultry sector here in Tanzania. After all, if we can get our young people involved in poultry, we not only tackle unemployment but also enhance food security and nutrition.” - H.E Ambassador Wiebe de Boer
About the Poultry Masterclass
The Poultry Masterclass highlighted critical strategies for improving poultry production and sustainability, with experts emphasizing the importance of high-quality eggs and optimal farm design. Key factors discussed included climate control, infrastructure designed to prevent contamination, and the implementation of strict hygiene protocols.
Innovative hatching techniques were a focal point of the discussions, particularly the ability to identify and cull male chicks by the 12th day of incubation, which can enhance overall production efficiency. Experts noted that feed costs account for a staggering 75% of total production expenses, underscoring the need for cost-effective feeding strategies.
The experts further stressed the necessity for rich, balanced diets while also addressing the challenges of heat stress management in tropical regions. A call was made to explore the potential of alternative protein sources, such as insect meal, which could provide sustainable and economical options for feed.
Additional challenges were also brought to light, including feed contamination and limited availability of raw materials. Despite these hurdles, the growing demand for chicken meat and eggs in Tanzania presents significant opportunities for the poultry industry. Other topics included value addition and processing techniques, buildings technologies, innovative equipments and egg handling hatching, water systems, breeding and genetics, feed milling and building and sharing knowledge.
Networking at the residency
On the 12th of September, after a full day of training, the Ambassador of the Netherlands H.E. Mr. Wiebe de Boer together with the Agricultural Counsellor Mr. Bart Pauwels hosted a networking reception at the Netherlands ambassador residency. The purpose is to network was to further establish more contacts and exchange in an informal setup.
More information
Do you have followed up questions or wish to connect with companies? See below list of companies that joined, their specialties and websites:
Aeres University of Applied Science
Mrs. Jolanda Stolk Teacher (trainer)
- www.aeresuas.com
- Knowledge building
Aviagen East Africa
Mr. David Bailey (General Manager)
- www.aviagen.com
- Breeding genetics for broilers
BINCX B.V.
Mr. Gerbrand van den Brink(General Manager)
- www.bincx.nl
- Buildings (poultry/hatcheries/ slaughterhouses)
Embassy of the Netherlands Dar es Salaam
Mrs. Theonestina Mutabingwa (Agricultural Advisor (AA) )
- www.netherlandsandyou.nl/web/ tanzania
- Dutch Support
Group Depré N.V.
Mr. Luc Willems (Business Development Manager)
- www.groupdepre.com
- Nutritions
Harsho Group
Dr. Tarimo Felician Mark (Veterinary Doctor)
- www.harshotz.com
- Feedmill
- PS Farm
- Hatchery