Dairy Advisory Services in Tanzania: A Snapshot of the Industry

The survey was targeted to identify the different models of extension services in the dairy value chain. The study aimed to identify the process of establishing the services, the governance system of extension services, the services being offered, coverage of services, costs, and how extension services are staffed and trained. The survey also explored how different extension and advisory service providers relate to each other within the dairy value chain, whether any tools or ICT are being used, and if the impact of the services is being measured and what the results are.

The scope of work and deliverables of the project in Tanzania was under the guidance of consultant Kevine Otieno, based in Kenya, and the local focal point, Paschal Tekwi, based in Arusha, Tanzania. The study identified 35 dairy extension service providers in different categories (types) and from different parts of Tanzania through a mixture of purposive and snowballing sampling methods.

Of the 35 respondents who took part in the survey, 45.71% operate nationally, while 54.29% operate regionally. The organizations are engaged in various activities, with 32% offering training, followed closely by 28% input supply, and 14% agricultural production. The survey also found that different organizations have different sources of funds to offset their operational and developmental goals.

Staff composition in Dairy extension Service providers

The staff size of each organization differed significantly with the majority having a small team of 1-5 members, as shown in fig1 below. Interestingly, within these small organizations, a large number of team members were under the age of 30. Furthermore, it was found that a majority of the staff in these organizations were female, suggesting a potential trend in the industry. However, among organizations with larger teams, the proportion of young and female team members was comparatively lower, indicating a shift in demographics as the organization grows. These findings offer insight into the composition of teams across different organization sizes and could provide useful information for businesses looking to build a diverse and effective workforce.

Decision-making and target audience

The survey uncovered fascinating insights into the strategic decision-making processes of various organizations, with each one employing unique approaches. While some relied on the input of stakeholders (25.71%), others preferred the expertise of knowledgeable experts (14.29%). Perhaps the most exciting finding was that the vast majority of organizations (72%) offered their advisory services directly to small-scale dairy farmers. The advisory services often covered topics, such as animal husbandry, feeding, and nutrition, highlighting the organization's commitment to supporting dairy farmers in providing high-quality products to consumers.

In conclusion, the survey by NEADAP provides critical information on the diversity of dairy advisory services in Tanzania. The report's findings will be instrumental in strengthening dairy advisory services to dairy farmers, thereby ensuring sustainable dairy advisory services in Tanzania and other East African countries.