Climate change is no longer a distant threat. It is a present reality that is already disrupting lives and livelihoods. In 2021 and 2022, a devastating drought struck Simanjiro District in Tanzania’s Manyara Region, leading to the death of over 92,047 livestock including cattle, goats, sheep, and donkeys, source. The severe lack of water and pasture left pastoralist communities struggling to survive, while the impact extended across the country’s meat and dairy production
This crisis occurred just as Tanzania’s demand for milk had risen significantly. By 2024, the country required 12 billion litres of milk annually, yet local production remained at just 3.9 billion litres according to the Tanzania Dairy Board (TDB) Registrar, Prof. George Msalya, source. one of the biggest obstacles for livestock farmers is the lack of consistent and nutritious animal feed, particularly during long dry seasons when natural grazing becomes unreliable
Again, youth are taking center stage in providing solutions. In response to these challenges, the Mil Animal Nutrition Innovation Centre, known as MilANC, a youth led social enterprise transforming communities was established in June 2021 in Arusha to provide sustainable livestock feed solutions. MilANC is addressing the feed shortage through the introduction of silage technology, a method that preserves green fodder through fermentation. This technique ensures that livestock have access to high-quality nutrition throughout the year, especially when pasture is scarce. The result is healthier animals, reduced seasonal losses, and improved milk and meat production.
Beyond feed production, MiL-ANIC plays a vital role in building the capacity of farmers and youth. The centre offers technical support, hands-on training, agribusiness coaching, and runs a pasture seeds business to promote sustainable and profitable livestock farming. Since its founding, MiL-ANIC has employed five full-time staff and fifteen part-time staff, expanded its work to four regions in Tanzania, and positively impacted over 4,700 dairy farmers. The initiative has also supported 5 women-led dairy cooperatives, 4 dairy farmer groups, and 10 youth groups. These efforts are helping to build resilient rural economies and empower communities.
The innovation and dedication of MiL-ANIC have earned national recognition. In 2024, the centre was awarded the AYuTe Africa Challenge Tanzania prize, a testament to its practical and impactful approach to agricultural development.
Tanzania is home to over 36.6 million cattle, representing around eleven percent of Africa’s total herd. The need for climate-resilient livestock solutions has never been more urgent. MiL-ANIC is showing that with the right tools and knowledge, communities can adapt to climate challenges and build secure, productive futures.
