Research
The Department has highly competent research manpower with 26 out of 35 academic staff members holding PhDs and the remaining are either on or about to embark on PhD studies. There are analytical laboratories for nutrition, meat and dairy studies. Research activities at the Department focus on developing innovations for addressing challenges along the livestock and fisheries value chains. Currently, there are about 20 on-going research projects which are undertaken collaboratively with public and private partners within and outside the country. In addition, there are also over 150 research projects undertaken annually by undergraduate and postgraduate students as part of their studies. DAARS faculty are always ready to partner with private sector entities to innovate and co-create solutions for a wide variety of challenges facing the livestock industry; from genetic resources to climate smart innovative practices.
Outreach
The Department offers advisory services to the community in form of consultancies, farm visits and short courses. It also actively participates in the Annual Nane Nane Agriculture Show in Morogoro where it displays a variety of technologies related to animal husbandry, aquaculture and fodder production. Academic members of staff offer technical advice in various National committees related to livestock and fisheries value chain. At DAARS we have many years of experience of directly engaging with farmers. For us, no one is beyond couching and mentoring. Farmers are our most valued clients, always welcome to contact our staff.
Ongoing Researches
Research activities at the Department focus on developing appropriate technologies for improvement of animal productivity and welfare along the value chain. The Department has competent manpower and basic infrastructure to undertake a variety of animal studies.
Currently, there are about 20 on-going research projects on nutrition, breeding, production systems in livestock and aquaculture, forage/rangelands improvement, climate change etc.
Most the research activities are collaborative with public and private partners within and outside the country.Currently the Department is actively engaged in various research activities as shown in Table below.
| No | Project Title | Tenure | Project Leader |
| 1 | Establishing livestock-based coping strategies for improved resilience of pastoral and agro-pastoral communities to impact of climate change in Northern Tanzania | 36 Months | Dr. S.H. Mbaga |
| 2 | Promotion of ecosystem-responsive integrated urban farming practices in the livestock, vegetable and fish production systems | 36 Months | Dr. A.W. Mwandya |
| 3 | Establishing a Demonstration Unit of Tilapia Cage Culture at SUA | 12 Months | Dr. A.W. Mwandya |
| 4 | Improving the productivity of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) through selective breeding and mass production of fingerlings | 36 Months | Prof. S. W. Chenyambuga |
| 5 | Characterization of Tanzania Zebu cattle for tolerance to ticks and East Coast Fever | 42 Months | Prof. S. W. Chenyambuga |
| 6 | Development of a sustainable tilapia culture in Tanzania | 24 Months | Prof. S. W. Chenyambuga |
| 7 | Genomic tools for improved chevon production from South Africa and Tanzanian Goats | 24 Months | Prof. S. W. Chenyambuga |
| 8 | Strengthening Research and Teaching Capacity for Sustainable Development of aquaculture in Tanzania | 24 Months | Prof. S. W. Chenyambuga |
| 9 | Development of Appropriate Hatchery Technology for African catfish in Tanzania | 36 Months | Dr. H. A. Lamtane |
| 10 | Outreach Project – Integrated Agro-Aquaculture Case: (BSU) –
Knowledge Sharing, Research Dissemination and Communication |
24 Months | Dr. H. A. Lamtane/Dr. F. T. Magayane |
| 11 | Development of Tilapia and Catfish Feeds for Sustainable Aquaculture Development in Tanzania | 36 Months | Dr. N. Madalla |
| 12 | Enhancing the Quality of graduates of agriculture to meet tomorrows’ food security challenge (PREPARE-BSc) | 36 Months | Prof. F. Lekule |
| 13 | Increasing Markets Share of Locally Produced Beef Through Improved Cattle Husbandry, Slaughter Operations and Meat Handling | 36 Months | Prof. Kimbita/ Dr. D. Mushi |
| 14 | Building Stronger Universities | 24 Months | Dr. D. Mushi |
| 15 | Up-scalling of Pro-Poor Innovative Dairy Goat Technologies for Improved Livelihood Security and Human Capacity in Selected Highland Areas | 36 Months | Prof. G Kifaro |
| 16 | Securing Rural Livelihood Through Improved Pig Production (SLIPP) | 48 Months | Prof. F. Lekule |
| 17 | Safe Food Fair Food | 36 Months | Prof. L. Kurwijila |
| 18 | More Milk | 48 Months | Prof. L. Kurwijila |
| 19 | “What is Killing my Cow?” | 12 Months | Prof. L. Kurwijila |
Other Research project activities:
Title: Enhancing livelihoods of dairy goats keepers in Tanzania through an improved breeding programme for disease free multipurpose animals Objectives:
Coverage: The study is being conducted in Mgeta and Gairo divisions of Morogoro region and at Mulbadaw farm in Hanang district. Amount of funding: Tsh. 160,000,000/= Source of funds: Royal Norwegian Government
Title: Exploiting Market Opportunities for Value Added Dairy and Meat Products in ECA Region Objectives: The main objective of this project is to enhance utilisation of value addition innovations in the dairy and meat sub-sectors in eastern and central Africa Specific objectives are;
Coverage: The study is being conducted in Ethiopia, Kenya, Sudan, Tanzania, Rwanda and Uganda. Partner institutions: ASARECA and ILRI. Amount of funding: US $ 690,000 Source of funds: EU/World bank through ASARECA
IGMAFU project
Feed improvements in Njombe and Turiani
Promotion of integrated aquaculture
ASARECA
Cassava project (MATF-FarmAfrica)
CESA project