FAO-IEC egg seminar yields commitment to up egg production

The second joint Food and Agriculture Organization and International Egg Commission seminar drew egg industry leaders from numerous countries with all expressing a commitment to increase egg production and consumption. 
The second joint Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and International Egg Commission (IEC) seminar for egg producer organizations took place June 9-10 in Johannesburg, South Africa.  Members of producer organizations from Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Zambia and Zimbabwe were joined by FAO and IEC members from Australia, Canada and South Africa for this two-day seminar, with representatives from each country presenting plans on how to increase egg production and consumption.
Topics such as egg and human nutrition, poultry health, housing systems, the role of egg producer organizations and financing for small business were discussed with a number of experts from the FAO and the private sector.
Building upon the success of the initial joint FAO-IEC Egg Capacity Building seminar held in Lusaka, Zambia, in September 2013, the seminar was held in conjunction with AVI Africa, the annual conference organized by the South African Poultry Association (SAPA) and the largest poultry exhibit in Africa.
Rhodnie Sisala, recently elected as chairperson of the Poultry Association of Zambia commented: “This program should continue in order to consolidate what has been learned and continue to share experiences across the Southern African region.  Our organization is keen to implement some of the ideas presented during the past two days.”
Dr. Vincent Guyonnet from the IEC commented: “The seminar was extremely positive, with the two-day event ending with each country presenting some plans of action to grow egg production and egg consumption in their local markets.  IEC members and FAO staff will continue to provide support to delegates and work together over the coming months to focus on fine-tuning these plans and identifying ways to finance these proposals and implement them.”
Dr. Olaf Thieme from the FAO said: “The inclusion of all stakeholders of the poultry values chains – including small and large producers – in the formulation of national action plans will be important for achieving a sustainable development of the poultry sector that will contribute to reduction of poverty and malnutrition.”