1. Names of Researchers and Institutions:

            Dr. G. H. Laswai                                  SUA, Project leader

            Dr. Anna A. Temu                                SUA

            Dr. Salome K. Mutayoba                     SUA

            Dr. S.J.S. Mosha                                  TBS

2. Project Title:Strategies for the improvement of poultry feed industry in Tanzania

3. Project Purpose

To analyse the value-adding processes and quality control mechanisms in the production of poultry feeds and identify the major constraints and best opportunities available for promotion of good quality poultry feeds in Tanzania

4. Activities performed during the reporting period

4.1 Establishment of Business Information Centre

The Tanzania Feed Information Centre (TAFIC) was established in November 2001 with combined efforts of the FOODNET, SARRNET projects and feed millers. The activities, which TAFIC are supposed to perform, are detailed in the first TAFIC brochure. These are summarised as, to 1) collect and provide marketing information on animal feeds, 2) assist millers in development of feed formulation, 3) develop an update catalogue of Tanzania feed tables, 4) co-ordinate the testing of animal feeds and 5) organise/develop client-oriented seminars. Others include, to 6) organise/develop sensitisation activities on the utilisation of alternative feeds, 7) linking feed millers with SUA and other researchers to develop client driven research activities and 8) explore and promote the use of alternative feeds. TAFIC is also charged with 9) provision of consultancy in new milling and processing techniques and 10) collection and provision of general updated information on the animal feed and feeding. Detailed report on the achievements and problems encountered in performing these roles are presented in the Co-ordinator's report (Appendix 1).

4.2 Roles played by FOODNET research project

4.2.1 Office space and staff recruitment

One room was hired from the Agricultural Research Institute (ARI) building at Mikocheni, Dar es Salaam and used as TAFIC Office. Two job vacancies were advertised and interviews conducted whereby one Animal Scientist and one Agricultural Economist were recruited. Two meetings of the feed processors were held leading to the establishment of TAFIC steering committee.

4.2.2 Procurement of office facilities

Two computers and a printer were purchased and Internet facilities installed. Details could be obtained from the TAFIC office.

4.2.3 Analysis of feed samples

The project recruited one research assistant for five months for making follow up on the feed analyses and compiling, interpreting and summarising the data. Different chemical components of the feed samples were analysed in three laboratories, that is Soil Science, Food Science and Technology and Animal Science and Production laboratories, at Sokoine University of Agriculture.

4.2.4 Information search

Literature information on the composition of raw materials available for feed formulation in Tanzania was reviewed from different sources and compiled.

4.2.5 Development of catalogue of feed composition tables

The data on the feed analysis and collected literature information were compiled in form of a booklet. The draft document was sent to various feed processors and animal scientists for comments and editing. It has been revised and it is now in press awaiting typesetting, printing and binding.

4.2.6 Organisation/developing client-oriented seminars

Researchers often participate in planning, attending and giving presentations as resource persons in various meetings, seminars and workshops organised by TAFIC. Prepared a proposal for seminars to be carried out for year 2002 and accepted by the team members. Four seminars were planed as follows:

i)                    Seminar on animal feeds and feed formulation and a demo on Feed Live software available at TAFIC was held successful on 16^th Feb. 2002. About 14 feed millers, one ministry official and three resource persons from SUA attended the seminar. Participants appreciated the efforts and suggested for similar seminars to be organised.

ii)                   Seminar on feed mill management and scheduling of operations in the mill was planned to take place in April 2002. This seminar has not taken place yet.

iii)                 Seminar on enterpreneurship in agro-processing was scheduled in June 2002. This seminar has not yet been held.

iv)                 Seminar on mineral nutrition in poultry and swine under tropical environment is planed to take place in August 2002.

A brainstorming session was organised on 7^th May 2002 to include extension agents/agro-vets intended to discuss the need for information. The event was not well attended. Only one extension officer from the ministry attended and other participants were farmers who are doing cassava trials.

4.2.7 Development of a follow up research project proposal

A project proposal document was prepared by FOODNET and SARRNET researchers, aiming at soliciting funds for running TAFIC and providing an enabling environment for the feed processors to run the centre. The proposal was sent to CTA who showed some interest, but raised concern on some issues, which were rectified and the proposal resubmitted.

4.2.8 TAFIC Newsletter -Mifugo Informer

Plans were that TAFIC should produce bi-monthly newsletter for the animal feed milling sector in Tanzania. To date, only two issues have been produced, one in February and another one in April. Researchers have contributed some articles for both issues.

5. Problems encountered

5.1 Problems with feed analysis

Lack of laboratory facilities for analysing some of the important feed components in poultry feeds, such as amino acids and vitamins in Tanzania. Attempts to send samples outside Tanzania for analysing those components were unsuccessful due to high costs. These particular feed components have therefore not analysed.

5.2 Co-ordination and sustainability of TAFIC activities 

TAFIC was initiated by two projects with somehow different interests. The FOODNET project is specifically focusing on the problems associated with livestock feed quality, whereas, SARRNET on cassava production and utilisation. In addition the long distance of the FOODNET researchers from the centre, has made planning and implementing as a team to be a big problem. Of recent, TAFIC has been concentrating mainly on cassava activities failing to implement other plans and minimal efforts have been placed into ways of enhancing its sustainability

6. Financial Statement       

¹ Average exchange rate 1US$ = 884 Tsh.

The detailed accounts including receipts are sent by EMS. The above indicated balance has been committed to typesetting, printing and binding of 250 copies of the Feed Table, the work which is currently in progress.

Appendix 1

TAFIC PROGRESSIVE REPORT-October, 2001- 2002.

Vision: Develop a competitive animal feed sector and animal agriculture in Tanzania

Overall TAFIC goals:

Ø      Assist animal feed millers in computer feed formulation.

Ø      Organize/develop client-oriented seminars and facilitate specific study groups on particular topics related to animal feeding, feed/food processing and nutritional advances.

Ø      Organize/develop sensitization activities for animal producers and food processors on the advantages of using quality feeds and value-added agricultural products.

Ø      Linking feed millers with Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA) and other research organization from inside and outside the country to develop specific client driven research activities.

Ø      Explore and promote the use of alternative feed and food sources like root crops, Soya and quality protein maize (QPM).

Ø      Provide consultancy in new milling and processing techniques like palletizing, roasting, precooking and extrusion as well as facilitating the procurement of these modern processing equipments.

Ø      Collect and provide general updated information on the animal feed and feeding.

Ø      Report writing on the animal feed sector. This will show what is really happening within the industry at large. Thence knowledge creation.

Monthly goals and achievements

October 2001

Goals:

Ø      Contacting and networking-Tanzania Animal Feed Manufacturers (TAFMA).

Ø      Employment of Animal Scientist.

Ø      TAFIC organization: purchase of computer and feed formulation software.

Accomplishment:

Ø      Brochure of TAFIC released.

Ø      60% of feed millers were contacted.

Ø      Ground work for TAFIC were laid down.

November2001

Goals:

Ø      As October.

Accomplishment:

Ø      First TAFIC meeting held on the 3^rdNov. 13 feed millers attended out of 20.

Ø      Experts from Columbia provided assistance and training to feed millers and staff.

Ø      TAFIC committee formed (5 members).

Ø      Contacts made: Ilonga research Institute in Morogoro Tanzania.

December 2001

Goals: 

Ø      Networking and publicity of TAFIC.

Ø      Development of training curriculum.

Ø      Designing of cassava field trial and finding of farmers willing to volunteer.

Accomplishment:

Ø      Clients for feed formulation are showing up with problems.

Ø      Secure 2 volunteers for the on farm cassava trial (dairy). At least they now know that cassava is not that much toxic.

Ø      Visited about 10-agro vet centres in Dar.

Ø      Linking with Tanzania Agriculture Research Program (TARP), on their cassava commercialization initiatives under Prof. Lekule .F.P of Sokoine Univ. Of Agriculture.

Ø      Developed training module.

January 2002

Goals:

Ø      Networking.

Ø      Try to work more with the Ministry of water and livestock development.

Accomplishment:

Ø      1^st TAFIC newsletter –MIFUGO INFORMER completed.

Ø      Seminar module 2 completed “Animal feed and feed formulation”.

February 2002

Goals:

Ø      To SUA: organize for the seminar, collecting literatures.

Ø      Conduct seminar.

Ø      Further networking.

Accomplishment:

Ø      Successful seminar and after seminar visit to some of the participant to see the implementations.

Ø      Participated in the sorghum initiatives organized by ICRISAT, TAFIC coordinator and 2 TAFMA members did participated. Can sorghum replace maize in feed?

Ø      Release of the Mifugo Informer-100 copies. Comments: contribution from other people be increased.

Ø      Secure 1 volunteer farmer who is also a feed miller to conduct on farm trial using cassava as poultry, cattle and pig feed.

Ø      Further contact with prospective client eg Land O Lake, which

 is an NGO with a mission to promote the dairy industry in the region.

Ø      Link with a formal group of farmers in Dar who are likely to adopt the use of cassava as animal feed.

Ø      Cassava as cattle feed brochure released.

March 2002

Goals:

Ø      Prepare for April seminar” mill management”. Target audience-feed and food millers.

Ø      Harvest of cassava leaves in the on farm trials.

Ø      Train farmers group in the use of whole cassava plant as animal feed in Dar-es-salaam.

Ø      Prepare articles for next Mifugo Informer.

Ø      Working on report on the Feed Sector in Tanzania- it is an eye opener for policy makers and researchers on the animal feed sector in Tanzania.

Ø      Conduct a demonstration on the harvesting and preservation of cassava leaves for dairy cattle.

Accomplishment:

Ø      Contact with Optima Ltd- promoter of the use of Moringa tree, learned on the use of the tree as animal feed. Disseminate the information, 4 farmers and 1 women group with 15 members did adopt the idea and planted the seeds.

Ø      1^st draft summary of Feed sector report.

Ø      Brochure on the use of cassava leaves for cattle released.

Ø      TAFIC coordinator participated in Business Development Service provider workshop organized by AUSTROPROJECT ASSOCIATION. Learned strategies for capturing clients for consultancy. Further networking which are promising.

Ø      10 farmers were train on the use of whole cassava plant as animal feed during the cassava day (27/3/2002).

Ø      Cassava leaves harvested-though small amount.

Ø      Does TAFIC have an impact so far? What are other Institute (FAO etc) and NGO’s doing? Really there is a poor linkage.

April2002

Goals:

Ø      3^rd seminar: Mill management.

Ø      Start feeding dairy on cassava leaves- Odetha and Tan Dairy farms.

Ø      Mini seminar on pig production and nutrition-jointly with Agro vets.

Ø      Broiler cassava trial- Mrs. Machari.

Ø      Complete Feed Sector Tanzania report.

Ø      Try to locate volunteers for the use of other alternative feeds and record the performances at the farm-Moringa, sweet potatoes.

Ø      Rewriting of proposal for TAFIC development-send to prospective partners.

Ø      Train farmers on the use of Internet.

Ø      Organize a small meeting with local agro vets. Can they work with TAFIC in information dissemination? Can they use TAFIC as their source of information?

Accomplishment:

Ø      Delay of mill management seminar due to time constraints to the resource persons.

May 2002

Goals:

Ø      Prepare- seminar, newsletter, networking.

Ø      Compile 1^st draft of on farm trial result.

Ø      Mini seminar for farmers-pig feed and feeding.

Ø      Meeting and training of agro vets on how to access and use information.

June2002

Goals:

Ø      Seminar- entrepreneurship in agro allied industry, newsletter.

Ø      Continue with on farm trial.

Ø      Further demonstration of the on farm trials.

July2002

Goals:

Ø      Routine work-seminar preparation, newsletter, on farm trial.

Aug2002

Goals:

Ø      Seminar-

Ø      Finalizing office work and trials.

Ø      TAFIC annual report.

Problems encountered during the period

Ø      Lack of commitment by some volunteer for on farm trial. Learned that, commercialization need to deal with those clients who show really need of the product/ technology the so-called agro-entrepreneurs.

Ø      Paying for service culture is in its infancy, but this can and should work in Tanzania. This is a gradual process as the transition process itself from subsidized to non-subsidized economy.

Ø      Unavailability of information and text, which can answer some of the clients’ problems. The centre should have a mini library.

Ø      Lack of knowledge on website development by TAFIC staff.

Ø      Lack of adequate funds for information dissemination.

Overall TAFIC success

Ø      Generation of knowledge on the use of alternative feeds.

Ø      Technical consultations.

Resource injected so far in the project

·        Funds

·        Equipments

·        Man power

What should be injected into the project?

Ø      Training of TAFIC staff on website development

Ø      Funds to develop training manual for feed millers and progressive farmers.

Ø      Funds for conducting seminar.

What the project is asking from CTA?

1. Training assistance:

Ø      In developing training manuals and newsletter-to be issued bimonthly.

Ø      In training the recipients- feed millers and progressive farmers-bimonthly.

Ø      For staff so as to cater better for the clients/recipients-training in web site development and information management.

2. Training materials:

Ø      Appropriate videotapes.

Ø      Textbooks.

Ø      Computer and relevant software for the business centre.