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