FAO, Tanzania enhance collaboration to prevent, control zoonotic diseases, anti-microbial resistance
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries (MALF) have reaffirmed their commitment to foster collaboration in the fight against animal diseases that are transmissible to humans and antimicrobial resistance (AMR).
This comes when FAO’s Director General, Jose Graziano da Silva met recently the Minister of MALF, Dr. Charles Tizeba, here in Dar es Salaam to discuss bilateral issues and strengthen cooperation.
“FAO’s core work supports efforts of governments in strengthening human and institutional capacities in addressing various challenges facing agriculture including livestock. Besides, FAO has also supported the Government of Tanzania with equipment and other knowledge products,” said Mr. Graziano da Silva.
During the occasion, the Director General of FAO handed over to the Minister of MALF computers, smart phones and a server aimed at strengthening the early warning and surveillance capacity of Tanzania’s animal health system.
The materials were provided through the FAO’s component of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID)-funded project known as the Emerging Pandemic Threats Programme Phase- Two (EPT-2)
FAO’s Director General further announced that in the pipeline, FAO is procuring assorted laboratory materials and supplies worth 162,000USD (over three hundred and sixty million Tanzanian shillings) through the EPT-2 and AMR Fleming Fund Phase Two Project to support the Tanzania Veterinary Laboratory Agency in the mainland and Zanzibar”.
On his part, Dr. Tizeba appreciated the support and collaboration of FAO in the development of the agricultural sector in Tanzania. “These equipment would enable our experts to timely and accurately collect, report and analyse data and information from the field,” he said.
Commenting on the FAO Director General’s visit in the country, Minister Tizeba said that it reflected the good relationship and collaboration that existed between the United Republic of Tanzania and FAO.
FAO works in collaboration with the ministries responsible for livestock development including surveillance and control of animal diseases in Tanzania Mainland and Zanzibar through the implementation of the EPT-2 and other projects.