Formation of milk and beef value chain innovation platforms: experiences from Kilosa and Gairo Districts, Tanzania

Abstract

This paper is based on experience from a field study that was undertaken in 2012 to improve livelihoods of pastoralists through  promotion of innovations for enhanced productivity and sustainable beef and milk value chains in Kilosa and Gairo Districts. Guided by  value chain framework, the study carried out innovation platform formation starting with baseline survey and two workshops which  convened the participatory value chain actors (PVCA) of the pastoral beef and milk value chains as key stakeholders towards increasing  market access of beef and milk in Kilosa and Gairo Districts and beyond. The workshops explored stakeholders’ analysis, beef and milk  value chain description, constraints analysi, empowerment needs assessment, networking, joint action planning and implementation.  This culminated in pastoralists organising themselves into four innovation platforms, namely: Beef at Mvumi and Rubeho and; Milk at  Parakuyo and Ilakala villages. The platform formation process has revealed that participatory value chain analysis is an efficient and  effective tool that brings together value chain actors to analyse the binding constraints and existing opportunities, and highlight value  chain upgrading strategies. The pastoral milk and beef value chains have potential for growth and competitiveness, and if developed can  help address issues of market access for pastoralists thus alleviating income poverty. Pro-poor development of the pastoral milk and beef  value chains would also serve as a stepping stone for modernisation of the pastoral livestock system. Since the Tanzanian livestock  sector is predominantly pastoral, therefore, commercial transformations in the pastoral system are necessary for a vibrant pro-poor   livestock sector.