Tanzania unveils Sh433bn strategy to revolutionise livestock, fisheries sectors

Dodoma. The minister for Livestock and Fisheries, Dr Bashiru Ally Kakurwa, has tabled in Parliament a Sh433.3bn budget to drive a comprehensive modernisation agenda designed to transition the nation’s livestock and fisheries sectors from subsistence to industrial-scale operations.

The 2026/27 fiscal plan is aligned with Tanzania’s Development Vision 2050 and the Fourth National Five-Year Development Plan, reflecting a long-term commitment to sustainable economic growth and food security.

The requested funding is strategically bifurcated, with Sh98.28 billion earmarked for recurrent expenditure and the remainder dedicated to transformative development projects.

A primary focus of the 2026/27 budget is the aggressive expansion of the blue economy and build on the recent milestone in deep-sea fishing.

In April 2026 President Samia Suluhu Hassan launched a deep-sea fishing vessel to enable the country benefit from its fisheries resources.

Dr Bashiru said to protect and manage these marine resources effectively, the ministry intends to deploy advanced technologies, including drones for aerial surveillance and patrols within the Exclusive Economic Zone.

Technological integration is also set to redefine the livestock sector through the implementation of the Livestock and Fisheries Monitoring and Evaluation System.

“This digital platform aims to improve market transparency and animal health tracking, supporting the National Vaccination and Livestock Identification Campaign,” he said.

By April 2026, the government had already successfully tagged and vaccinated over 50 million head of livestock, and the new budget seeks to expand this reach to ensure Tanzanian livestock products meet stringent international trade standards, he added.

A central pillar of the ministry’s strategy is the "Build a Better Tomorrow" (BBT-LIFE) initiative, which focuses on empowering youth and women within the agricultural value chain.

The programme provides targeted training and resources to encourage commercial ventures in aquaculture and modern animal husbandry. Furthermore, Dr Bashiru said, the ministry is pursuing structural reforms, including the proposed establishment of a Fisheries Resource Management Authority and the unification of the meat and milk regulatory boards to enhance administrative efficiency.

“Infrastructure development remains a critical component of the roadmap, with significant investments planned for the Kilwa Masoko fishing port and the Ruvula-Mtwara mariculture centre” he noted.

Digital transformation and livestock health

Dr Bashiru said the livestock sector, which contributes significantly to the national GDP, is set to undergo a digital revolution.

“Building on the National Vaccination and Livestock Identification Campaign launched by President Hassan in 2025, the ministry aims to tag and vaccinate over 76 million head of livestock,” he noted.

As of April 2026, over 50 million animals had already been processed. 

To improve market access, the government is implementing the Livestock and Fisheries Monitoring and Evaluation System (LFMES).

 This digital platform is designed to track animal health, manage production data, and facilitate online auctions, thereby reducing the "guesswork" traditionally associated with livestock trading.

Furthermore, the ministry is merging the Tanzania Meat Board (TMB) and the Tanzania Milk Board (TDB) into a single regulatory body to streamline the management of all livestock products.

Infrastructure, resource management

Recognising the impact of climate change, the budget prioritises water security and sustainable land use.

Dr Bashiru said the ministry has identified over 220 water infrastructure projects across 14 district councils to serve nearly one million head of livestock.

Additionally, the government is revising the National Livestock Policy of 2006 and the National Fisheries Policy of 2015 to ensure they reflect current economic and environmental realities.