Programme

Dr. Charles Moses Lyimo is a distinguished Senior Lecturer and molecular geneticist in the Department of Animal, Aquaculture and Range Sciences at Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA) in Tanzania. With over two decades of experience in higher education and agricultural research, Dr. Lyimo specializes in population genomics, animal breeding, and conservation genetics. His research focuses heavily on mapping the molecular diversity and evolutionary history of indigenous African livestock and poultry to improve genetic preservation and food security.

Dr. Lyimo holds a PhD in Molecular Genetics from Georg-August-Universität Göttingen in Germany. A proven academic leader, he formerly served as the Head of the Department of Biosciences at SUA, where he successfully spearheaded a major infrastructure upgrade through the global Seeding Labs Instrumental Access program.

Dr. Remjius Hayoyo is a highly accomplished veterinarian, animal nutrition expert, and agricultural industry leader with over two decades of experience across East Africa. He currently serves as the Area Manager for Central East Africa at Trouw Nutrition, where he spearheads technical and commercial operations for feed additives across multiple nations, including Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, and South Sudan.

Equally influential in policy and industry governance, Dr. Hayoyo is the Chairperson of the Trade Committee for the Association of Kenya Feed Manufacturers (AKEFEMA). In this capacity, he leads strategic government negotiations and regional policy advocacy to secure a fair trading environment and ensure the availability of affordable, high-quality animal feeds.

Dr. Stella Bitanyi is an eminent Tanzanian veterinarian, molecular researcher, and public administrator who serves as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Tanzania Veterinary Laboratory Agency (TVLA). Appointed by the Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries, she leads the nation’s strategic veterinary disease surveillance, diagnostic services, and veterinary vaccine production to safeguard livestock health and national food security.

With a distinguished career spanning animal health administration and advanced research, Dr. Bitanyi previously served as the Institute Manager for the Tanzania Vaccine Institute (TVI). Her extensive research portfolio spans epidemiology, veterinary preventive medicine, and wildlife forensics, with a particular focus on tracking infectious livestock pathogens like African Swine Fever and managing zoonotic threats that impact public health.

Elly Mlowe is a dynamic Tanzanian animal nutritionist, poultry production specialist, and agribusiness consultant based in Dar es Salaam. He currently serves as the Area Manager for Sunways Bioscience, a global animal health company where he directs regional technical and commercial operations for specialized livestock solutions, feed additives, and biosecurity products.With dedicated experience in field management and agricultural extension services, Elly specializes in improving farm profitability and animal health.

In addition to his corporate duties, Elly is a prominent digital content creator who utilizes his professional platforms like Instagram and Facebook to deliver real-time agribusiness education. Through these channels, he offers independent consulting, veterinary advice, and updates from the field to bridge the gap between technical nutritional science and local livestock farming communities in Tanzania.

Grace Magembe is a highly skilled Tanzanian poultry production expert, technical advisor, and agribusiness consultant. In her current role at Silverlands (T) Ltd, she directs commercial strategies, coordinates regional distribution networks, and provides essential technical oversight to ensure the successful delivery of high-performing poultry breeds and specialized services to farmers across East Africa.

Beyond her corporate responsibilities, Grace is an influential digital advocate for modern farming, widely known online by her professional handle @shamba_girl. Through her active digital channels, she produces educational content that acts as an open-access masterclass for upcoming poultry entrepreneurs. Her mentorship focuses on providing actionable guidance regarding feed management, disease mitigation, and sustainable agribusiness models for the contemporary African farming sector.

Heiko Koster is a highly accomplished South African professional animal scientist, livestock consultant, and international agribusiness expert with extensive experience across Sub-Saharan Africa. He currently serves as the East Africa Consultant for the U.S. Grains Council (USGC), where he coordinates strategic regional development, grain trade policy, and technical training programs designed to scale and optimize the livestock and poultry industries in nations like Kenya and Tanzania.

Equally prominent as an entrepreneur and technical innovator, Koster is the Co-Founder and Director of FeedHUB (Pty) Ltd, a premier agricultural consulting firm delivering advanced feed formulations, laboratory analysis, and feed mill engineering solutions. Over his career, he has successfully directed Koster Trading & Consulting and Feed First, while previously serving on the Board of Directors for the Animal Feed Manufacturers Association (AFMA).

Mohamed J Manjala joins the TPS 2026 seminar programme to discuss turning chicken waste into energy. The session brings attention to poultry waste as a resource and its potential place in farm energy solutions.

Wambura Messo is a dedicated Tanzanian agricultural researcher, public official, and author who serves as the Poultry Desk Coordinator for the Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries. Based at the ministry's headquarters in Dodoma, he plays a central role in shaping national poultry development policies, drafting agricultural extension guidelines, and strengthening value chains to support commercial and smallholder farmers across Tanzania.

With deep expertise in livestock economics and animal husbandry, Messo focuses on creating sustainable, climate-resilient farming models. A key milestone in his career is his instrumental role in coordinating multi-sectoral stakeholders to design and develop the National Poultry Development Strategy, a landmark framework aimed at modernizing the country's avian agricultural sector.

As a leading technical advisor within the government, Messo is actively involved in resolving systemic production challenges, such as seasonal weather disruptions and biosecurity threats. He frequently collaborates with regional stakeholders and extension officers to train farmers on modern poultry housing, optimized flock management, and sustainable practices aimed at boosting national meat and egg security.