Dr Kijaji Directs NARCO To Produce Improved Livestock Breeds To Bolster Meat Trade In Tanzania -

In the early years of operations, NARCO enjoyed great success in ranching business raising large heads of high quality Boran cattle and producing envious Kongwa beef

By Senior Reporter VALENTINE OFORO

MINISTER of Livestock and Fisheries has directed the National Ranching Company Limited (NARCO) to heighten research and programs for the production of crossbreed livestock species.

Dr Ashantu Kijaji, who was recently picked by President Dr Samia Suluhu Hassan to lead the ministry said the move, together with improvement of fodder will help to perfect the availability of enough meat, thus pushing the country’s economy into new heights.

Dr Kijaji issued the directives when visited the Kongwa- based ranch, in Kongwa district of Dodoma region.

She said the state- owned company, NARCO, is tasked to produce the crossbreed cattle to assist the local livestock farmers to compete effectively in the international and regional markets and thus, fetching enough profits.

The Minister instructed the Director for Production and Marketing Development in the Livestock Ministry, Mr Stephen Michael to work in sync with the company to pay the remaining payments to the contractor who is implementing works for the installation of six wells.

Upon completion the wells, worth 700m/-, will facilitate professional production of livestock pastures at the country’s major ranch.

“I have visited and witnessed the way to which the major project for construction of at least six wells has stalled. The Government has injected 700m/- to support the project but it has been suspended because of the contractor’s claims for his remaining amount,” he said.

On his part, the Chairman of the Board of NARCO, Mr Aziz Mrima expressed that the board is working to ensure NARCO produces the best livestock species that will be able to compete with other breeders in Africa.

And the Director of Production and Marketing Development, Mr Stephen Michael pledged to work out all of the given directives.

ABOUT NARCO

NARCO is a Parastatal organization under the Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries. The history of NARCO can be traced back to pre-independence with the establishment of Overseas Food Corporation in the late 1940s dealing with groundnuts and livestock production. The livestock activities were transferred to Tanganyika Agricultural Corporation (TAC) in mid 1950s.

Following independence, the livestock production activities were placed under the National Agricultural Company (NACO). Finally on 14th October 1975, NACO was changed to National Ranching Company (NARCO). NARCO is therefore, established under the Companies Act. Cap. 212 with the government of Tanzania owning 100 percent of the shares. The company was established with the aim to carry out the business of commercial ranching in Tanzania with emphasis on beef production. As such 15 ranches were established in 10 regions in Tanzania. The ranches are Kongwa (Dodoma), Mkata and Dakawa (Morogoro), Ruvu (Coast), Mzeri Hill (Tanga), West Kilimanjaro (Kilimanjaro), Manyara (Arusha), Uvinza (Kigoma), Kalambo (Rukwa), Usangu (Mbeya), Kikulula, Mabale, Kagoma, Misenyi and Kitengule (Kagera). Except for Manyara ranch, all the remaining 14 ranches are still operational under NARCO. A new ranch namely Mwisa II in Kagera region will soon join the ranks as the newest member of NARCO ranches.

In the early years of operations, NARCO enjoyed great success in ranching business raising large heads of high quality Boran cattle and producing envious Kongwa beef. However, with the country embarking on economic reforms in the 1990s, NARCO was earmarked for privatization. For over 16 years from 1992, NARCO was placed under the Parastatal Sector Reform Commission (PSRC) with the aim of privatization of the company. Later in 2002 the Government reversed its decision on privatization of NARCO and directed that instead the ranches be subdivided into core ranches (run directly by NARCO) and smaller ranch blocks for leasing to local investors for livestock production. NARCO is therefore, working hand in hand with private investors in running her ranches. Currently there are 116 long-term and over 120 short-term investors leasing NARCO ranch blocks for conducting ranching business.