TMB Clarifies on Claims by Businessman 'Mr. Maguruwe' Regarding Pig Farming in  Bahi 

The Tanzania Meat Board (TMB) has issued a clarification regarding statements made by the well-known businessman known as Mr. Maguruwe about pig farming activities in Zamahelo, Zanka Ward, Bahi District, Dodoma Region.

The Meat Board has registered this businessman as a small-scale pig farmer. According to the board's regulations, a small-scale pig farmer is required to have no more than 49 pigs.

Acting Registrar of the Tanzania Meat Board, John Chasama, spoke today after visiting Mr. Maguruwe's pig farm.

"Mr. Maguruwe has been informing Tanzanians to invest in his pig farm, which is not appropriate since he is registered under the small-scale category, which has a limit on the number of pigs allowed on the farm," Chasama stated.

Chasama added that all stakeholders registered with the Board have a registration validity of one year, after which they must apply for renewal.

Furthermore, Chasama noted that the Board has seen various misleading claims by this stakeholder regarding the qualities of his pigs, including stating that they are of a unique breed, weigh up to 1,400 kilograms, and suggesting that consuming their meat causes physical changes in women.

"This misinformation damages the image of the meat industry, which is already growing rapidly and increasing its contribution to the national income," Chasama said.

In addition, Meat Board Inspector Alex Mkenda mentioned that upon inspecting Mr. Maguruwe's pig pens, they found them to be in poor condition, lacking quality. The businessman is required to improve the pens and enhance disease control measures, following proper procedures to separate the animals by size and age.

Livestock Officer and Inspector from the Tanzania Meat Board, Kiboma John, advised the businessman to control diseases and ensure that new animals entering the farm have their own section and that sick animals are also kept separately before being mixed with the others.

"Essentially, we need to control diseases starting from the entry point, and currently, there is no place to step in to eliminate disease pathogens. For example, we have swine fever, and with the current environment, it is easy for all these pigs to be affected. Therefore, fundamentally, this area must ensure robust disease pathogen control," Kiboma John emphasized.

However, the Tanzania Meat Board urges all registered stakeholders to follow the laws, regulations, procedures, and ethics governing the sector, and advises the general public to verify information provided by stakeholders/businesspeople by contacting the relevant authorities.