Zimbabwe poultry industry deemed self-sufficient

Poultry producers in Zimbabwe are now capable of meeting domestic demand for poultry, and will not need to rely on imports, an industry leader said.
“We won’t have shortage of day-old chicks again (and) prices of day-old chicks have gone down by almost 30 percent,” Zimbabwe Poultry Farmers’ Association Chairman George Nare told NewsDay. “We are not going to talk about shortage of chicken anymore. Demand is good and what producers need to do is to look for the market and secure it.”
However, Nare said the Zimbabwe poultry industry was at a recovering stage adding that stock feeds remained a problem.
In July 2015, players in the poultry industry in Zimbabwe cut chicken prices by 23 percent, with indications that the market had been flooded by cheap imports, mostly from South Africa and Brazil.
Last year, the Zimbabwe government introduced a law requiring importers of selected agricultural products, including poultry and sugar, to apply for licenses in a bid to control imports flooding the local market.

Nigeria’s poultry farmers call for government support

Automation of shell egg collection is among the growing trends highlighted in a new report about the future of Nigeria’s poultry industry.
Authored by the Poultry Association of Nigeria (PAN) and released at the 2015 Nigeria Poultry Show held in Abeokuta recently, the report outlines the prospects for the sector over the next decade, reports Daily Trust. As well as outlining positive developments, PAN expressed fears over what it termed “growing depletions” in the layer industry, adding that biosecurity is likely to play a crucial role in its survival.
Entitled ‘Nigerian Poultry: Future Scenario 2013-2023’, the report states that the previous projections, covering the period 2000 to 2010, were achieved despite a sharp fall in production during what it calls “the bird flu years”. Describing the recovery between 2009 and 2010 as “phenomenal”, the report says there was a 10 percent reduction in 2012, followed by a period of steady growth in broiler parent and layer parent placements.
PAN commented on the increasing size of layer flocks. With a minimum now of 10,000 birds, many units are expanding from 100,000 to 500,000 layers. Production per bird is also rising, with some farms achieving more than 310 eggs per hen housed over the production cycle.
Over the next 3 to 4 years, more farms are expected to opt for feeding crumbles as chick starters and broiler feeds to give the birds a better start in life.
One significant trend forecast by PAN is greater automation in feeding and egg collection as a means of reducing contamination. Manure disposal and fly control need more attention, according to PAN, but these will be addressed as the industry moves towards more closed housing with environmental control.
Turning to egg quality issues, PAN says that egg grading may become more popular as a way of ending discounting of smaller eggs. Higher egg numbers and fewer breakages could be addressed through choice of breed and refined feed formulation. According to the report, “designer eggs” - enriched with vitamin E, selenium and omega-3 fatty acids – are being produced and marketed, while washing and packing of eggs are not yet widespread in Nigeria.
With a human population forecast to exceed 200 million by 2020, Nigeria has a rapidly growing demand for low-priced food, which could be eased by the chicken meat sector through greater integration, higher performance and better marketing of live birds and branded chicken products.
With the right environment and support by government (including a ban on imports), PAN promised to create five million jobs and unlock a NGN1 trillion (US$5 billion) industry over the forecast period.
At the Nigeria Poultry Show, PAN’s national president, Dr. Ayoola Oduntan, explained that the theme for this year’s event – ‘Poultry Value Chain- Unlocking One Trillion Naira Industry and Five Million Jobs’ – was chosen to show the determination and commitment of the body to help solve the nation’s economic problems.
Daily Trust reported that Nigeria’s farmers set out their priorities to the new Minister of Agriculture, Audu Ogbeh. Top of that list are help to access to inputs such as seeds, fertilizer and agrochemicals, the provision of microcredit and access to extension services to advise them on modern farming techniques.
“The greatest needs of the Nigerian farmer is seed; high quality crop seeds and seedlings, day-old-chicks, fingerlings and animal breeds, followed by access to credit, extension services, marketing, processing and storage, among others,” said a large-scale poultry and fish farmer in Katsina State, Architect Kabir Ibrahim, who is the President of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN). “The government should address these issues adequately to help the farmers.”
Farmers also called for improved market conditions and guaranteed minimum prices for their produce.

Ross seminar supports developing Ugandan market

Ross® and its parent stock customer Biyinzika Poultry International recently hosted two seminars in Uganda, which attracted more than 100 delegates over the two days. The first was an internal seminar held during the Ross visit to Biyinzika Feed Mill, while the second was aimed at broiler farmers.
Presentations by Aviagen experts were interpreted into the local language of Luganda and included Dr. Pavel Shkarlat, company veterinarian, Aviagen, presenting on Main Broiler Diseases and Protection’, Dr. Ibrahim Ibrahim, technical service manager, on “Brooding Management,” and Robert Haggarty, technical service manager, discussed “Heat Stress.”
Bulent Tanyildizi, Ross commercial manager for MEA, said, “As a developing market we believe Uganda has great potential, and we will continue to put all our efforts into supporting its broiler business. Although there are several investments for integrated poultry, small scale poultry production is an important business for Ugandan farmers.We look forward to improving our business partnership with Biyinzika in the near future.”
S.S. Mable, a Ugandan broiler grower, said, “We wish to thank Aviagen’s Ross team and Biyinzika for supporting us with these seminars. Not only will they help to develop our businesses, but these developments will also improve the daily lives of our families. We would be happy to attend any future seminars that either company has planned.”
Attendees were offered informative literature such as Ross’ “First 24 Hours” posters and Biyinzika's “Basic Broiler Management” leaflets.

Kenya’s government offers help to animal feed producers

The Kenyan government has announced plans to waive the duty on imported feed ingredients, according to Daily Nation. The move is aimed to boost dairy farming in the country, Acting Livestock, Fisheries and Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Adan Mohamed told delegates attending the Africa Dairy Conference and Exhibition in Nairobi this week.
“I know high animal feeds costs continue to be a major impediment to a vibrant dairy sector,” said Mohamed, “and it is our hope that ongoing discussions with Treasury will see the import duty charged on raw materials for animal feeds processing waived next year.”
Local market experts expect that population growth of 2.4 percent and movement to cities in the coming years will increase the demand for milk threefold.
There is also the prospect of increased regional trade in dairy products and the Cabinet Secretary warned that producers need to adopt modern technology for feeding, milk handling and transport in order to reduce wastage arising from unhygienic practices. Business Daily Africa last week reported that half of a KES10.5 billion (US$99.5 million) concessional loan from Poland would be directed to improving Kenya’s dairy sector through the purchase of milking and cooling machines as well as veterinary equipment.
The same report revealed that last season’s corn in the strategic grain reserve is being offered at lower prices to Kenya’s feed producers. The reserve needs to be reduced to make space for the new season’s crop but the country’s flour millers had rejected the product on the grounds of quality.
 “We are considering selling the aged crop for animal feeds as we really have to create space to accommodate the new crop,” said National Cereals and Products Board managing director, Newton Terer.

Ghana’s government takes action on avian influenza

There may have been no reports of new cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in the country for 10 days but the government is urging those involved in the poultry sector across the country to step up its biosecurity measures, according to the Government of Ghana.
At a press conference recently, Hon. Hanna Bissiw, a deputy minister for food and agriculture responsible for livestock, said that almost 24,000 birds had died of avian influenza in three regions - Ashanti, Volta and the Greater Accra – since May 2015.
Stressing the importance of a high level of biosecurity, she added that more than 1,100 crates of eggs and 37 bags of feed have also been destroyed and there is an investigation regarding the involvement of a feed mill in outbreaks in Greater Accra, the region where most of the outbreaks have occurred.
The Minister announced that the government is making plans to pay 90 percent compensation to farmers whose poultry and products are destroyed by the veterinary services, and working with all those involved in poultry farming and allied sectors as well as schoolchildren to inform them about the disease and measures to control it.
Bissiw added that the government is working with the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) over guidance for veterinary authorities to establish zones and regions free from avian influenza so that poultry trade can continue within the country and internationally.
Meanwhile, the Ghana National Poultry Farmers Association (GNPFA) has been assuring the public that it is ready to meet the 40 percent increase in demand for birds at Christmas, reports GhanaWeb. A lack of funding has been hampering efforts to control the outbreaks, according Dr. Alice Attah, regional veterinary officer for Greater Accra.
This month, the government had been criticized for not providing enough information about avian influenza by poultry traders whose business is being adversely affected by the outbreaks.
OIE has received 9 reports so far of HPAI outbreaks from the veterinary authority in Ghana since April 2015. These outline 23 outbreaks in farmed, backyard and village flocks, which have been caused by the H5N1 subtype of the virus and led to the death or destruction of almost 59,000 poultry, mostly in the Greater Accra region.

Tunisia’s poultry industry reports losses

The Tunisia poultry industry is losing an estimated TND25 million (US$12.8 million) in 2015, announced Fethi Ben Khelifa, deputy secretary general of the National Federation of Poultry farmers under the Tunisian Union of Agriculture and Fisheries (UTAP). The announcement was made to ‘Le Maghreb’ and reported by African Manager.
According to UTAP, Tunisian producers cover 59 percent of the country’s poultry meat requirements and all of the eggs. The governorate of Sfax supplies 56 percent of the nation’s egg output and 10 percent of its chicken.
The same magazine recently reported figures from the National Institute of Statistics, which showed the consumer price index increased again in July 2015, 0.3 percent higher than in the previous month.
Food prices, however, have been controlled by the Tunisian Ministry of Trade. Egg prices were reduced by 3.1 percent, poultry by 0.6 percent and beef by 0.1 percent.

Need for avian flu action in West Africa urgent

Fears are growing that without timely intervention to stem outbreaks of highly virulent H5N1 avian influenza virus across West Africa, further spread across the region and beyond is inevitable, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has warned.
To this end, it is calling for US$20 million for prevention and response activities.
The call comes in response to outbreaks of the virus in poultry farms, markets and family holdings in Nigeria, Burkina Faso, Niger, Cote d’Ivoire and Ghana.


Disease re-emergence
While the first incursion of H5N1 in West Africa occurred in 2006 it was eliminated in 2008. In late 2014, however, the virus was re-introduced in Nigeria, where it spread rapidly over the following months. To date, more than 1.6 million birds have been culled or have died of the virus.
“Urgent action is needed to strengthen veterinary investigation and reporting systems in the region and tackle the disease at the root, before there is a spillover to humans,” said Juan Lubroth, chief of FAO’s Animal Health Service Division.
The FAO’s appeal for US$20 million for prevention and response foresees bolstering weak veterinary systems, improving the capabilities of local laboratories and putting FAO specialists on the ground in affected and at-risk countries.


Lack of proper controls
Poultry production has grown steadily in West Africa over the last decade with some countries, such as Cote d’Ivoire, seeing production increase by 60 percent since 2006.
However, regulatory systems have not grown to deal effectively with this increase in production, and there is an acute need to make the market chains safer – from production to transporter to seller. At a regional level, these value chains can be across borders and so require stronger customs controls and greater compliance with product safety norms.
“We’re looking at a disease – H5N1 – that has already spread to five countries in six months. We have to make a concerted effort to stop it in its tracks and we have to do it now,” said Lubroth.

Smuggled poultry in Nigeria causes economic, health woes

The smuggling of poultry products into Nigeria is costing the country about NGN532 billion (US$2.7 billion), said Ayoola Oduntan, president of the Poultry Association of Nigeria (PAN).
Oduntan’s estimates were shared at the 2015 Nigeria Poultry Summit.
The country has to rely on imports to meet the demand for poultry, as Nigerian farmers are able to produce about 300,000 metric tons annually, while there is a nationwide demand for more than 2 million metric tons, reported AllAfrica.
Of the 1.7 million metric tons needed, Oduntan estimates that smuggled chicken accounts for 1.2 million metric tons annually.


Smuggled poultry and health risks
The smuggling of poultry products into Nigeria also hurts, as it poses concerns about food safety.
Citing the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Oduntan said: “It has been discovered that smuggled poultry products contain high levels of bacteria. Also, toxic chemicals and solvents are used in preserving them so that their owners can get them into our country to be sold at prices cheaper than we are selling.
“NAFDAC, in realizing this, has agreed to embark on a nationwide campaign to inform all Nigerians that smuggled chicken is not acceptable for their good health; they should consume Nigeria-produced chicken.”

FAO: Avian influenza cases in Africa only the beginning

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  Freeimages.com/pixelstar

  The outbreak of avian influenza in western Africa is likely to become worse, says a veterinary official from FAO.

  From WATTAgNet:
  Avian influenza cases have been growing in western Africa, and the chief veterinary officer of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) says the cases being seen now are only the “tip of the iceberg.”
  “I have sufficient information to be worried and insufficient information to be at ease,” the FAO’s Dr. Juan Lubroth told IRIN.
  Highly pathogenic H1N1 avian influenza has not been in the region since 2008, and in some countries, it has not been present since 2006. So far in 2015, the virus has been detected in numerous African countries, including Nigeria, Niger, Ivory Coast, Burkina Faso and Ghana.
  FAO in April had warned that the outbreak, which originated in Nigeria, had the potential to spread into other countries. At that time, it had not yet been confirmed in Niger or Ghana. FAO also cited Benin, Cameroon, Chad and Togo as countries at risk.
  In Nigeria alone, there have been 30 cases of avian influenza confirmed by the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE), affecting nearly 65,000 birds. OIE has also reported five cases of avian influenza in Ghana since June 1, affecting  4,669 birds.
  Bookmark WATTAgNet’s avian influenza update page for 

Arbor Acres strengthens local ties at SIPSA

Arbor Acres (AA) international team recently supported its local distributor, Arbor Acres Algerie (AAA), at the recent SIPSA (Salon International de L'Agriculture en Algerie) event in Algeria. The four-day event held last month in Algiers, showcases products and firms from the agricultural and forestry industry and welcomed a host of international firms.
Three of Aviagen’s AA international team members, Andre Costa, Technical Manager, Alain Silvin, Sales Manager and Puzant Dakessian, International Commercial Manager, were present throughout the event to provide support at AAA’s stand and help strengthen ties within the industry.
Discussing the event, Alain Silvin said: “It was a very successful event for AA in what is an increasingly important market for us. Our stand was always buzzing with people; very busy and active with visitors in and out all of the time, which was great to see. The AAA team members were on hand to answer questions or hold meetings.
“The Algerian poultry market is huge and one that is expanding all of the time. It all points to a very promising future for the industry in Algeria.”
Dr. Hocine Allali, Sales and Technical Manager for AAA commented: “We are investing in this business and in Algeria for the long term, as we strive to secure a higher quality and quantity of local protein to Algerian people. We believe in the future of this industry as we contribute to the growth and progress of poultry with our local capabilities and the support of international knowledge and experience.”
Dakessian added: “I would like to congratulate AAA for their great preparation and organisation. The interaction of the AAA team members with their customers and huge efforts to meet and attend to their technical demands was very impressive and appreciated. This demonstrates the advantage of this local operation in delivering services and also the long term commitment of the AA owners, the Kherbouche family, to the local poultry industry of Algeria and partnership with AA international.”

FAO: Avian influenza puts Nigerian food security at risk

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  Andrea Gantz

  An official from the UN Food and Agriculture Organization says avian influenza is putting food security in Nigeria at risk.

  From WATTAgNet:
  Food security in Nigeria will be at risk, a United National Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) representative said, unless intense surveillance and control measures for avian influenza are implemented.
  The virus that has been plaguing the global poultry industry in 2015 was detected in a backyard flock in January that included broilers, layers and growers, according to a report from the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE). That was the first confirmed case of avian influenza in Nigeria since 2008. Since that time, OIE has reported 51 more avian influenza outbreaks. In total, 167,064 birds – most of which have been layers -- have been susceptible, with 6,951 birds dying and another 140,839 being destroyed.
  The virus has also spread into Niger, first entering that country near the Nigerian border. It was the first avian influenza case in Niger since 2006.
  While speaking at a two-day training workshop for disease surveillance agents, FAO representative Dr. Louise Setshwaelo said that if the spread of the virus is not stopped in Nigeria, it will become endemic.
  "Then we will have even a bigger problem to deal with. The resurgence of avian influenza in the country has serious implication given the importance of poultry industry to the livelihood and food security as well as health implications,” said Setshwaelo.
  To keep current on the global avian influenza situation, bookmark WATTAgNet’s avian influenza page, which includes news reports and analysis concerning avian influenza.

H5N1 avian influenza in Niger for first time since 2006

H5N1 avian influenza has been confirmed at a layer farm in Maradi, Niger, according to a report from the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE). The confirmation marks the first occurrence of highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza in the country since June 2006.
OIE stated that there were 2,440 susceptible laying hens and breeding parents at the farm. Of those 2,290 birds died.
Tests conducted at OIE’s reference laboratory in Padua, Italy, came back positive for the virus.
Control measures included movement control, screening, zoning, quarantine, stamping out, control of wildlife reservoirs and disinfection of the infected premises.
The source of the outbreak has not yet been determined. However, the farm is near the border of Nigeria, a country which has also been dealing with outbreaks of avian influenza. The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) had stated that traditional trading patterns, both formal and informal, between Nigeria and its neighbors, provide an opportunity for cross-border or inter-regional disease spread.
FAO identified Niger as one of the countries at risk, as well as Benin, Cameroon, Chad, Ghana, the Niger and Togo. Other countries were also said to be at risk, and the FAO has advised that they should prepare for disease incursions.

Ethopia National Poultry Training Centre to open in June

The National Poultry Training Centre is expected to open Bishoftu, Ethiopia, in June 2015. Holland-Africa Poultry Partners (HAPP) announced that an opening celebration for the facility will take place on June 9.
The training center will include housing, feeding, solar energy and hatchery equipment, which has been sponsored by HAPP members.
During the week of the National Poultry Training Centre’s opening, a set of trainings will be offered to a select group, of which the detailed program will be shared soon. New equipment is being installed and HAPP representatives have been in Ethiopia to arrange a smooth execution of the opening and the trainings to be given.
HAPP had hoped for an earlier opening, but delays in the arrival of the sponsored equipment pushed the opening date back to June. HAPP hailed the arrival of the equipment, saying it marks the end of a long logistical process and will ensure the opening of the facility. Since the equipment was shipped from the Netherlands, it took several months to arrive at the training facility due to complications and problems with import-regulations at the Djibouti-harbor. Although the equipment arrived at the port just before Christmas, it was not cleared until recently.
The Ethiopian Institute for Agricultural Research (EIAR), the Ethiopian Poultry Producers Association (EPPA) and the Dutch and Ethiopian governments helped support the project.

Community poultry vaccinators to fill Malawi veterinary gap

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  File photo

  A group of community-based poultry vaccinators has received training in Malawi in hopes of filling gaps in veterinary care.

  From WATTAgNet:
  The National Rural Poultry Centre (NRPC) Malawi, has trained 31 community-based poultry vaccinators around the Malomo and Chipuka extension planning areas in Ntchisi on how they can manage poultry and assist in implementing the work done by veterinary workers. NRPC, a non-government organization (NGO), has also given poultry medicine to the trained community-based poultry vaccinators.
  GRM International, an agricultural development company based in Australia, provided funding for the training.
  Speaking during a recent certificate presentation ceremony to the farmers, NRPC Malawi Interim Director Pat Poland, called on the certified community-based poultry vacinators to utilize the skills they gained during the three-day training to help assure that poultry meat becomes readily available at affordable price.
  "We have decided to assist poultry farmers because veterinary officers are very few and they not reach out to all farmers. … The trained community-based poultry vaccinators will train fellow farmers in their respective areas," he said.
  In her remarks, Ntchisi District Development Officer (DADO) Hycinthe Jere commended National Rural Poultry Centre in partnership with the Kyeema Foundation for training the community-based poultry vaccinators. Jere said having a new group of poultry vaccinators will reduce the gap of poultry veterinarians and will go far to reach more farmers.

Ross Africa’s new Zambian hatchery facilities see first hatch

Ross Africa has completed its Ross 308 broiler hatchery in Chainda Farm, Zambia. The new facility will see the company’s production capacity increase to 500,000 broilers per week in Phase 1 of the project, and rise to 1 million per week on completion of Phase 2.
The hatchery is part of a US$17 million investment in facilities and farms to allow Ross Africa to increase supply of the Ross 308. The first successful egg set in the facility was completed in March and the complex was officially opened in April.
The Ross Africa hatchery has incorporated the first Pas Reform SmartHatchPro Vortex-based air flow system in Africa, and it is the second hatchery in the world to use the system designed to provide superior incubation and hatch conditions.

Irvine’s Zimbabwe outlines achievements, presents awards

David Irvine, chairman of Cobb-Vantress distributor Irvine's Zimbabwe, outlined some of the company's major achievements at the Irvine's Zimbabwe annual party in Harare. The event was held in appreciation of the custom and support of various stakeholders.
Achievements discussed included the construction of air- and light-tight rearing houses for broiler breeders, expansion of the commercial hatchery to one million chicks per week and the start of work to build a new 25 metric tons per hour feed mill expected to be complete by third quarter of 2014.
Irvine gave a warm welcome to Donnie Smith, chief executive officer of Tyson Foods; James Young, Tyson international group vice president; and Roy Mutimer, general manager of Cobb Europe.
Irvine spoke of the close association with Abilio Antunes from Mozambique whose relationship with Irvine's dates back to 1968 when he bought his first stock of Cobb parents. Abilio is now the largest chicken producer in Mozambique.
Irvine put emphasis on the value that Irvine's Zimbabwe place on building successful long-term relationships with customers and suppliers, and referred to Irvine's association with Cobb lasting 51 years.
Awards presented at the event included:

• Contract Grower of the Year: Emilia and Aeneas Chigwedere
• Distributor of the Year: Nigel Philp, Profeeds
• Frozen Chicken and Table Egg Retailer of the Year: Dion Yatris, Spar Mutare
• Quality Standard Award: Patricia Mapani, Irvine's contract grower