In collaboration with TASOVO (Tanzania Small Animal Veterinary Organization) and Veterinary Without Border (VSF – Sweden), VallBo Foundation will participate to the Newcastle Disease Vaccination Project in Tanzania in 2025.

Project objectives and results to be achieved:

1. Objective: To ensure that all smallholder farmers around protected areas in seven sites namely Ruaha, Mikumi, Selous, Tarangire, Lake Manyara, Ngoromgoro and Serengeti vaccinate indigenous poultry by using thermal stable Newcastle disease vaccine

TASAVO Newcastle Disease Vaccination Project will provide 10,000 doses (100 vials) to vaccinate 10,000 indigenous poultry as startup vaccine in each site.

2. Objective: To establish collaboration between smallholder farmers with veterinary centers and veterinarians

One of the factors which limit growth of indigenous poultry farming is limited access of veterinary inputs and veterinarians in rural areas. Most veterinarians find that investing in rural areas is economically unviable. Meanwhile there is high demand of veterinary service in these areas, due to high population of livestock including indigenous poultry.

TASAVO and smallholder farmers are looking to address this challenge.

3. Objective: To train smallholder farmers on poultry diseases control, poultry welfare, housing and nutrition

Good management, good feeds and good animal welfare can improve growth and performance of indigenous poultry. Apart from Newcastle disease, smallholder farmers will be trained on how to prevent other diseases which affect indigenous poultry such as Fowl Pox. Fowl Pox can infect indigenous poultry. Biosecurity measures must be implemented to prevent the introduction of all diseases in the flock. Farmers will be trained on personnel hygiene and hygiene of equipment used for rearing indigenous poultry.

4. Objective: To train smallholder farmers on record keeping

Record keeping is important to determine the performance of poultry farms. Farmers will be taught to keep records. The record will involve the number indigenous poultry such as cocks, hens, growing indigenous chicken and chicks. The record can include sales of chicken, death etc. Detailed report can involve date of vaccination, veterinary inputs such as medicine and feeds. Availability of record can help to determine if the project is performing well.

We are very happy that we can contribute to improve the awareness among the smallholder farmers on good management of indigenous poultry, and therefore losses due to diseases, especially Newcastle disease will be decreased. Newcastle vaccination project will be part of the livelihood projects to the community living around protected areas in Tanzania.