Bio-security on African poultry operations

Patience is the key that solves all problems - Sudanese proverb

This is a short and basic guide to bio-security on poultry operations in Africa. 

What is Bio-security?  -Taking measures to reduce the introduction or spread of disease and pathogens into and within poultry operations.

As I am only a farmer and not a vet, I would like to cover only one way that disease and pathogens can be spread.

- Mechanical transmission - via hands, feet, tyres and equipment to name a few.

How can we as farmers take steps to reduce the mechanical transmission of diseases and pathogens?

The picture in this article shows the entrance into a poultry processing plant in Africa. The management has taken the following steps to increase bio-security:

- The staff members have taken their home clothing off.
- The staff members have taken a shower.
- The staff members have put on clean protective clothing - Rubber boots, overalls, hair nets or caps.
- They proceed into the processing plant by washing their boots and hands before entering the factory area.
- The same procedure is carried out when returning.
- Entry is restricted by a guard and visitors need to sign a register first before proceeding through the same process.

In summary, the aim is to provide a barrier between the outside and the processing and production areas preventing diseases from entering.

This simple procedure can be applied in any circumstance from small farms to large processors.

If you would like more information please contact Jeremy at jeremy@igallus.com
www.igallus.com 

Affordable and low cost housing projects.

Specialists in new business development in Africa.

 

IGL has been trading and facilitating new ventures in Sub-Saharan, East and Central Africa for over 10 years. We have the entrepreneurial skills necessary to assist foreign businesses to enter into these strategic and growing markets.

There are significant opportunities in these countries for foreign businesses however there are challenges in the form of entry obstacles, language, cultural and operating differences, barriers and tariffs, limited market intelligence and local expertise.

IGL gets you into the market, assists in developing the business, implements the sales activities and logistical support.

We have a network of staff and partners covering South Africa, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Botswana, Angola, DRC, Malawi, Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda. We have an in depth understanding and knowledge of these markets. We can provide the market solutions required for foreign businesses to enter these markets and trade.

IGL can provide due dilligence, risk assesments, security, feasibility studies, market intelligence, develop market entry strategies, arrange introductions to local partners, senior politicians and business leaders, obtain local specialist advice on legal, finance and tax issues, project manage and establish local operations and supply logistical services.

We are involved for as long as a business needs assistance to get established and trading profitably. We will provide a total support solution to suit your particular needs to ensure your uncomplicated and successful entry into these markets.

Our experience
Our teams in Africa have been trading and facilitating new business ventures in sub-Saharan Africa for many decades and have in depth knowledge and a thorough understanding of what needs to be done on the ground to make a new venture work.

Our services include

Consulting with you to determine the business new venture strategy
Using African based research to obtain country and market intelligence
Research report compilation and recommendations for consideration
Practical operational advice for business ventures in a particular country
Developing a strategyto meet the company investment objectives
Using Identifying opportunities that meet the investing businesses strategy
Introduction to fund managers with available funds for Africa-specific projects
Implementation of the strategy on the ground in Africa
Introduction to relevant political contacts who can expedite new ventures
Meeting with appropriate business contacts to facilitate the new venture
Introductions to local joint venture partners
Provision of logistical support and local sourcing for new ventures e.g. labour, equipment and products

If you are interest in investing in Africa contact us!

email: jeremy@igallus.com

Turnkey Agricultural Projects in Africa

Which factors can drive Africa's poultry industry growth?

"The hen with chicks doesn’t swallow the worm" African Proverb

Which of the following do you think will play a major role in driving Africa's poultry industry's growth?

1) Increased frozen poultry meat imports?

2) Big foreign companies investing into large scale integrated poultry projects?

3) Education and training of entrepreneurs wanting to enter the market?

I will discuss each, giving my views.

Frozen poultry meat

Frozen poultry meat imports into African countries does play a role in stimulating the market and taste for poultry. The trick might be to control the trade by close collaboration with existing poultry production, government and importers. Quotas and tariffs on imports decided on an annual basis in balance with what the local production volumes and pricing will be. This has been to a degree successful in Mozambique.

Foreign agribusiness investment

These projects also play an excellent role in stimulating the market and also provide employment, training and a career to thousands of people. Much of the time depending on the size of the business, they support thousands of small farmers by providing inputs such as chicks, feed and technical support. These smallholder farmers being the core customers of their businesses. Generally these companies are processors taking care of hatching eggs, milling feed and processing poultry. The growing of broilers (meat) and production of eggs are mostly carried out by the smallholder farmers.

Education and training of entrepreneurs and farmers

This point is last but not least. In my opinion this is the most important factor to drive the industry forward in Africa. In a previous post I mention that without knowledge of how to appropriately grow a chicken or produce an egg a person entering this industry can fall at the first hurdle, loose money and exit the industry all together.

Who should be providing this education, training and support and why? To whom? Graduates? Employees of companies? 

I believe training should be provided by all of us who have something to do with the African poultry industry. Knowledge is the key and really doesn’t cost much considering how much you could get back in the long term. Let’s share our knowledge with the people who actually drive our business.

IGL Hatchery Equipment Solutions.