Africa holds great potential for its poultry sector and is frequently heralded as the continent of the future. These upbeat opinions, meanwhile, may seem a little unrealistic given the numerous difficulties the continent faces. There are causes for hope despite these obstacles, especially in light of the area’s potential for expansion. Nine of the top 20 economies expected to grow at the highest rate this year are in Africa, according to data from the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. The demand for higher-quality protein among consumers in those countries may rise as a result of this expansion in disposable income. More supply is needed to keep up with the rising demand, especially in the chicken industry.
One of the key initiatives supporting Africa’s poultry industry is the PREVENT project, a partnership between Ceva Santé Animale and the not-for-profit GALVMED, supported by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. PREVENT, which stands for Promoting and Enabling Vaccination Efficiency, Now and Tomorrow, was launched in 2021. Its goal is to introduce hatchery vaccinations for day-old chicks (DOCs) in mid-sized hatcheries across Africa. The project aims to increase the productivity and efficiency of small-scale poultry producers, ultimately improving their livelihoods.
The project set ambitious targets, including distributing over 50 million hatchery-vaccinated DOCs annually through 36 hatcheries in eight countries. It also aimed to benefit 150,000 poultry producers and register 20 vaccines in 13 countries. With less than a year remaining, PREVENT has made impressive progress. Thirty-one hatcheries in 11 countries are now equipped to vaccinate DOCs, and over 98 million chicks—far exceeding the original target of 56 million—have been vaccinated. As a result, more than 100,000 poultry farmers are already reaping the benefits.
Despite these successes, Africa’s high temperatures present challenges for vaccine distribution, and limited information about circulating diseases puts small-scale producers at risk. PREVENT’s efforts are helping to safeguard these producers by ensuring the availability of vaccines that protect against a broader range of diseases. On average, each vaccinated chick receives three doses, significantly improving the chances of maintaining healthy flocks.
In addition to immunizations, PREVENT aims to provide additional forms of assistance to poultry farmers. In order to serve as a liaison between hatcheries and farmers, more than 200 field technicians have been sent out to offer technical assistance, advice on sound management practices, and biosecurity. These technicians assist farmers in refining their methods while also assisting hatcheries in developing a steady clientele.
Africa’s poultry productivity and health have significantly improved because to the PREVENT project. Its initiatives are supporting the growth of small-scale farmers and the continent’s increasing demand for chicken meat. It will be interesting to observe the full scope of the project’s beneficial effects on Africa’s poultry business as it approaches its final year.
