1. Mary J. Magonka & Eliakundi C. Kimbi
PRACTICAL EXPERIENCE IN POULTRY PRODUCTION AND POULTRY BREEDING IN TANZANIA
Mary J. Magonka & Eliakundi C. Kimbi

2. Where did we come from?
Before independency in 1961 the poultry sector was meant for social obligation, and offering gifts in terms of eggs and live chickens
In 1967, the National Poultry Company was established and mandated to set up commercial poultry, breeder farms and importation of the parent stock
In 1970s, the Government promoted the consumption of eggs and meat, particularly to women, children and sick people

3. ….Where…
Thereafter government promoted commercial poultry enterprises using exotic hybrids in schools, prisons and Agriculture training institutions.
In the 1970’s, the Government promoted the consumption of eggs and poultry meat, particularly to women, children and sick people.

4. ...where
However, during that period the Government had no policy for development of indigenous chickens despite their being predominant in the country
This was associated to the perception of the policy makers and scientists that indigenous chicken have low genetic potential for meat and egg production

5. where did....
In the mid 1980’s the collapse of NAPOCO, combined with economic hardships, allowed for the emergence of small scale farmers producing hybrid chickens commercially in urban and peri-urban areas.
This raised an intense importation of day old chicks from neighbouring countries such as Malawi, Zambia, South Africa and Uganda.

6. Where..…
The change in the poultry sector prompted the Government to promote private entrepreneurs to establish hatcheries to cater for the demand of chicks.
However, the hatcheries established were unable to meet the demand for day old chicks, thus, importation continued.

7. Where....
In the 1990’s the demand of eggs and poultry meat from indigenous chickens, rather than exotic chickens, increased significantly and customers were ready to offer more money.
This was associated to the perception that commercial chickens were raised using drugs and hormones which have potential health hazards’ to consumers

8. where....
In 1990s, a project to improve the genetic potential of indigenous chicken through cross breeding with exotic cocks was implemented, the project failed due to lack of backstopping mechanisms.
Most of projects for indigenous chickens did not show an impact because they had single intervention

10. Current status of poultry
Tanzania comprises of million chickens where millions are indigenous chicken
Nearly 90 percent of the indigenous chicken are raised by smallholder farmers under free range
The flock sizes mostly ranges from 5-15 chicken with an average of 10
Low consumption of meat and eggs (15 kg and 106 eggs) per annum vs 75 kg and 300eggs

11. Why poultry??
Poultry are unique with respect to the range of conditions under which they are kept. This reflects a high degree of adaptation of the poultry to diverse environmental conditions
Poultry production requires relatively small capital investment
Poultry production is very flexible in utilization of facilities

12. ..why poultry ? Domestic fowls reach sexual maturity relatively early
There are very few religious or cultural restrictions against poultry

13. What has been done in poultry
Research on exotic chickens but could not perform well despite their higher egg-laying and faster growth
Crosses between indigenous and broiler
Crosses between indigenous and layers
Supplementation feeding under free range
Characterization of indigenous chickens
Artificial rearing of chicks to reduce mortality and increase clutch number

15. Prevailing challenges to poultry keepers
Diseases (Newcastle Disease, Gumboro, Fowl Pox and Fowl Typhoid) - chicken loss
Marek’s Disease in intensive layer flocks
Poor quality of feeds
Inadequate technical support services
Access to inputs (vaccines and drugs)- rural areas
Inadequate day old chicks and capital to invest

16. What should be done
To support and strengthen technical support services
To use of appropriate technologies in poultry production
To promote inventorization, characterization, evaluation and selection of indigenous poultry breeds

17. What should....
To develop and promote suitable model and packages for commercialization of indigenous chicken
To encourage the establishment of quality breeding farms and hatchery facilities; and
To create awareness as well as encourage and promote the establishment poultry producers’ and traders’ associations

18. Thank you