The autonomous Tanzanian region of Zanzibar has been affected by inadequate poultry production, causing the islands to rely heavily on imports, according to Zanzibar’s minister for livestock and fisheries Abdullahi Jihadi Hassan
Three legislators, Jaku Hashim Ayoub of Tanzania's ruling party Chama Cha Mapinduzi, Rufai Said Rufai of the Civic United Front Tanzania and Salma Musa Bilali from Chama Cha Mapinduzi's Women Party, have called for the islands' government to protect the interests of local farmers by restricting importation of poultry from abroad.
According to the minister, it was impossible to stop the chicken imports, which are mainly shipped in from Brazil and South Africa, as well as domestic supply from central Tanzania.
Hassan did, however, urge members of the business community to continue importing chicken and in larger quantities.
“The demand is about 640,240 tonnes, yet the production is only 100,944 tonnes. We have to open doors to members of the business community to import,” Hassan revealed.
