General Overview


Type & Ownership: NARCO is a fully state‑owned parastatal under the Ministry of Livestock & Fisheries, focused on large-scale commercial cattle ranching.


Establishment: Originally created under the Companies Act in 1975, evolving from pre-independence operations like the Overseas Food Corporation and Tanganyika Agricultural Corporation.


Headquarters: Based at the Nane Nane Exhibition Grounds, Nzuguni, Dodoma, relocated from Dar es Salaam around February 2019.





? Ranch Network & Operations


Ranches Operated: Manages 14 core ranches across Tanzania, including Kongwa, Dakawa, Ruvu, Mzeri Hill, West Kilimanjaro, Manyara, Uvinza, Kalambo, Usangu, and several in Kagera region. Plans to add Mwisa II.


Livestock Ownership: A 2022 report noted that of 155,554 cattle on NARCO ranches, only 22,842 (about 15%) were NARCO-owned, with the rest leased to private ranchers.


Leasing Partnerships:



Long-term & Short-term blocks: Over 116 long-term and 120+ short-term investor leases.


In March 2025, the Government directed action against 27 Kalambo Ranch investors breaching cattle-only agreements due to crop farming and subleasing, with government debts over TSh 1.3 billion.




Conflict Reduction Initiatives: NARCO has leased out around 25% of its land to local pastoralists to ease conflicts over grazing.





? Mandate & Products


Core Mandates:



Large-scale cattle breeding and beef production (e.g., “Kongwa Beef”).


Leverage ranch assets via investor block leasing.


Provide farmer training and field-based support.




Products & Services:



Beef: Including the branded Kongwa Beef.


Other outputs: Hay, farmyard manure, breeding stock (sheep and horses).







? Challenges & Reforms


Performance Issues: In 2022, President Samia Suluhu Hassan criticized NARCO for underperformance — particularly too much reliance on private-owned cattle and not enough government-owned.


Privatization & Reform:



In the 1990s, NARCO was under consideration for privatization; however by 2002 it pivoted to a hybrid model: core ranches maintained by NARCO, while other blocks leased to investors.




Governance & Oversight:



The March 2025 Kalambo directives show ongoing government scrutiny in enforcing compliance and financial obligations.







? Leadership & Community Engagement


Management Team: The MD is Mohamedi Zuberi Mbwana, and the Board is chaired by Dr Aziz Ponary Mlima.


Stakeholder Relations:



NARCO actively works on leasing terms, investor training, and resolving farmer-rancher-pastoralist conflicts.


Engagements include livestock fairs (e.g., SabaSaba, NaneNane) and ongoing efforts to commercialize operations.







? Summary Table





Topic
Details




Ownership
100% Govt, under Ministry of Livestock & Fisheries


Establishment
1975; evolved from colonial-era entities


Ranch Network
14+ ranches, plus leasing blocks


Livestock
15% owned directly; rest leased


Products
Kongwa Beef, hay, manure, breeding stock


Leasing
116+ long-term, 120+ short-term investors


Challenges
Underperformance, contract breaches


Reforms
Shift to hybrid model, active compliance


Leadership
MD Mbwana; Chair Mlima


Community Engagement
Leasing to pastoralists, training, exhibitions