National Livestock Policy 2006.

The Livestock Industry has an important role to play in building a strong national economy and in the process, reducing inequalities by increasing incomes and employment opportunities, while nurturing the natural resources. This National Livestock Policy explains the intentions of the government and other stakeholders to meet the challenges in the livestock industry. The Tanzania Development Vision states that: by year 2025, there should be a livestock sector, which to a large extent shall be commercially run, modern and sustainable, using improved and highly productive livestock to ensure food security, improved income for the household and the nation while conserving the environment. The mission of the livestock industry is: to ensure that livestock resource is developed and managed sustainably for economic growth and improved human livelihoods. The overall objective of the National Livestock Policy is to develop a competitive and more efficient livestock industry that contributes to the improvement of the well being of the people whose principal occupation and livelihood is based on livestock. This National Livestock Policy will be used as a guide towards achieving the Vision and Mission of the livestock industry. The long-term objective is towards attaining food security, poverty reduction and increase in national income from the livestock sector. To achieve the objectives of this policy, the Ministry will develop strategies and implementation plan.
The specific objectives of the National Livestock Policy are to: 1) Contribute towards national food security through increased production, processing and marketing of livestock products to meet national nutritional requirements. 2) Improve standards of living of people engaged in the livestock industry through increased income generation from livestock. 3) Increase the quantity and quality of livestock and livestock products as raw materials for local industry and export. 4) Promote integrated and sustainable use and management of natural resources related to livestock production in order to achieve environmental sustainability. 5) Strengthen technical support services, develop and disseminate new technologies. 6) Develop human resources including livestock farmers. 7) Promote production of safe and quality foods of animal origin in order to safeguard consumers. 8) Promote the use of draught animal power and biogas utilization. 9) Mainstream cross-cutting and cross-sectoral issues such as gender, HIV/AIDS, land and environment.
The Government in collaboration with other stakeholders will promote improvement of genetic potential in the traditional herds in order to increase livestock productivity. Organic livestock farming is an emerging concept of agricultural production advocating minimal or non-use of industrial chemicals. The concept has come out following the increasing use and sometimes misuse of such chemicals resulting into human health hazards.