A Game Changer for the Sector

The President of the United Republic of Tanzania, Hon. Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan, has allocated a subsidy of 216 billion shillings for a campaign aimed at vaccinating livestock and identifying them over a period of five years starting this year.

While speaking at the launch event for the national vaccination and livestock identification campaign held at Nyakabindi grounds in Simiyu region, Hon. Dr. Samia urged all Regional Commissioners across the country to oversee the use of these resources and ensure they benefit the farmers as intended.

Additionally, Hon. Dr. Samia pointed out that the government is now beginning to see the benefits of modern livestock farming changes that have taken place, and she added that the government will continue to enhance this sector to ensure productivity remains evident.

“The government is determined to eradicate livestock diseases, and that is why today we are launching this vaccination program for 2025/2029. I want to sincerely congratulate all farmers in Tanzania because you have agreed to contribute half, and we as the government will provide the other half for the vaccination of cattle, goats, and sheep,” Hon. Dr. Samia emphasized.

Moreover, Hon. Dr. Samia noted that after providing subsidies in the agriculture sector, the government has now started offering subsidies in the livestock sector specifically for livestock vaccinations.

Hon. Dr. Samia stated that the government has created an enabling environment for both the public and private sectors that have developed vaccines to be used in this campaign, and she expressed her satisfaction with their plans to ensure Tanzania becomes self-sufficient in livestock vaccines.

“In the past, when we were importing, we sometimes had doubts about the safety of the vaccines we were using, but now that they are produced locally by our own people, it increases our confidence in the available vaccines. Therefore, I commend the Ministry for the decision to utilize local producers in this area.” She said.

Speaking about electronic ear tags, Hon. Dr. Samia mentioned that for a long time, the government has been working on a database for livestock in the country, and these ear tags will serve as a tool for obtaining that database.