BfR joins scoping tour in Tanzania and Kenya
From 24-29 September 2012, Juliane Bräunig and Alexandra Fetsch, two German scientists from the Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, both members of the Safe Food Fair Food project team joined a meeting with four Irish experts on dairy and ILRI scientists hosted by the Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA) in Morogoro, Tanzania and ILRI, Nairobi, Kenya. The intention of this meeting was to explore possible opportunities for collaboration on smallholder dairy research and development in Tanzania.
A farmer takes his livestock for grazing in Mvomero district, Tanzania. (photo credit Alexandra Fetsch, BfR)
The mission started with interesting discussions on issues such as dairy nutrition with particular emphasis on grassland systems, genomics, and food safety at SUA; and was followed by a tour through the facilities of the University. On day 2 of the mission the group went on a site tour through Kambala and Turiani districts, visiting several smallholder dairy farms of both extensive and intensive production systems. During their visit of a livestock market in one of the districts, the group got revealing insights into dairy marketing in Tanzania; and hence, the need to focus on further research and capacity building activities.
After one day travel by road through the fascinating landscape of Tanzania and Kenya on their way to Nairobi, the meeting continued with more discussions at ILRI. Several issues to strengthen further collaboration were identified and the scientist acknowledged their willingness to provide their expertise on the different topics to the best extent possible. Many thanks to the Safe Food, Fair Food country coordinator at SUA, Professor Lusato Kurwijila, and Amos Omore at ILRI for the great facilitation.
By Alexandra Fetsch, Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR), Germany
