Dairy germplasm development and delivery in Africa: The Tanzania case

Yakobo, Msanga

Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries Development

Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

Inception workshop of the AgriTT project: Evaluation of breed composition, productivity and fitness for smallholder dairy cattle in Tanzania, Dar

es Salaam, 10-11 June 2014

1.0 INTRODUCTION

1.1 Contibution of Livestock Livestock Population (mln) Cattle 22.8 Goat 15.6 Sheep 7.0 Pigs 2.1 Local chicken 35.5 Commercial chicken 24.5

INTRODUCTION CONT………

36 % of the recorded 4.9 million agricultural households, keep livestock

The sector grew at 3.4%

Contributed about 3.8% to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) (Economic Survey, 2010)

INTRODUCTION CONT………

Per capita consumption of livestock products in 2012 was estimated at:

45 liters of milk

12 kg of meat

75 eggs

INTRODUCTION CONT………

1.2 Dairy Cattle

Dairy industry is an important component of livestock sector

Total milk yield estimated at 1.92 bln liters

Milk is produced from both pure TSZ and crossbreds between Friesian, Aryshire, Jersey and TSZ

Pure TSZ gives an average of 300 -500 liters per lactation and contribute 70% of total milk

INTRODUCTION CONT……… Crossbreds cattle give an average of 2000 liters

per lactation and contribute 30% of total milk

Estimated crossbred cattle population is 780,000

Annual demand for crossbred dairy cattle outside the dairy herd stands at 50,000

Current supply from all sources estimated at 10,000

2.0 EFFORTS IN DAIRY CATTLE IMPROVEMENT

2.1 Selection within local breeds

Selection work on the indigenous cattle by the British colonialists proved that the potential for milk production was very limited.

Characterization of the indigenous cattle was done in1926. The Ankole, Masaai, Chaga, Iringa red, Mbulu, Singida white and Mkalama dun strains/breeds were identified.

 

Iringa Red Singida White

•Later characterizations identified other distinct strains like the Fipa, Gogo, Pare, Singida white Tarime and strains.

EFFORTS IN DAIRY CATTLE IMPROVEMENT CONT…

Development of a composite breed the Mpwapwa Through diligent selection and controlled

breeding a composite dual purpose cattle breed was developed and declared in 1958.

The estimated genetic composition of the breed is 10% European, 62% Indian breeds and the rest East African Zebu.

The milk production of this breed ranges from 1500 – 2000 litres per lactation.

Mpwapwa Breed

EFFORTS IN DAIRY CATTLE IMPROVEMENT CONT…

2.3 Direct importation of Bos taurus dairy breeds.

In 1975 and 1993, 1,039 heifers were imported with assistance of World Bank (WB) and Heifer Project International (HPI).

Another batch of 890 heifers donated by Heifer Project International (HPI).

These animals were sourced from USA, New Zealand, Kenya and Zimbabwe.

The aim was to stock large scale farms where they could multiply and thereafter surplus heifers be distributed to smallholder farmers.

EFFORTS IN DAIRY CATTLE IMPROVEMENT CONT…

2.4 Crossbreeding of Zebu cattle with Bos Taurus.

Crossbreeding has been the main strategy to improve milk production in cattle. This has been achieved through use of :

Bull Centers.

Use of AI.

Livestock Multiplication Units (LMUs).

Multiplication within smallholder farms

3.0 OPPORTUNITIES, CHALLENGES AND STRATEGIES 3.1 Opportunities Large number of indigenous cattle which the foundation stock for

upgrading.

Availability of an Artificial Insemination Centre from which bull semen can be produced and zonal centers for distribution in the country.

Trained manpower and availability of AI training centers.

Political willingness and a national livestock policy that encourages commercial livestock production,

Availability of modern methods for livestock improvement Availability of large internal, regional and international market on

livestock products.   

OPPORTUNITIES, CHALLENGES AND STRATEGIES CONT.…………….

  

3.2 Challenges Main challenge to the industry is to increase the

number of dairy cattle.

Which genotype to use in the different environments and how to maintain them.

Establishment of a reliable and sustainable germplasm delivery systems?

Having consistence in breeding polices that a supported by a legal framework.

CHALLENGES CONT……………………. To encourage private sector

involvement in livestock genetics?

Management of crossbreeding programs.

Few trained professionals in animal breeding

4.0 BREEDING OBJECTIVES

To have at least 3 million dairy cattle in the country by the year 2025.

Dairy cattle to yield an average of 2000 liters of milk per standard lactation of 305 days.

5.0 STRATEGIES TO INCREASE THE SIZE OF DAIRY HERD

5.1 Extensive use of artificial insemination

Currently only about 70,000 cows are inseminated which is 1 % of breed able cows.

In order to maintain and improve the current dairy herd, 200,000 breed able females need to be inseminated.

Inseminate around 600,000 indigenous cattle per year

In order to increase the number of dairy herd to 3,000,000 the following strategies have been formulated:

 

STRATEGIES TO INCREASE THE SIZE OF DAIRY HERD

Upscaling the production of dairy heifers in public farms.

Strengthening of national Artificial Insemination centre

Advocate for establishment of stakeholders associations such as Breeders societies, milk collection associations or cooperatives.

STRATEGIES TO INCREASE THE SIZE OF DAIRY HERD CONT…

Multiplication within small holder farms by use of AI

Encourage establishment of large scale production farms that will keep improved cattle and will eventually sell to farmers

Direct importation of dairy breeds