In Nigeria, the poultry industry is experiencing a transformative shift, thanks to innovative hatchery vaccination programs introduced by global animal health leaders like Ceva Santé Animale. These initiatives aim to enhance poultry health, productivity, and sustainability, particularly benefiting small and medium-scale farmers.
A notable development is the collaboration between Ceva Group, Jmages, and Dbestline, offering advanced hatchery vaccination training to poultry farmers in Ibadan. This training focuses on equipping farmers with the skills to administer vaccines effectively at the hatchery level, ensuring that day-old chicks are immunized against prevalent diseases such as Newcastle disease and infectious bursal disease. By vaccinating chicks at the hatchery, farmers can reduce mortality rates and improve the overall health of their flocks.
Ceva’s C.H.I.C.K. Program® (Ceva Hatchery Immunisation Control Keys) is important to these efforts, as it provides a comprehensive hatchery immunization service to over a thousand hatcheries across the world. The program focuses on consistent, high-quality vaccination through standardized protocols, training, and equipment maintenance. By guaranteeing that each chick receives a complete dose of vaccination, the program hopes to generate robust and disease-resistant poultry, increasing farm production and profitability.
In addition to the C.H.I.C.K. Program®, Ceva has partnered with organizations like GALVmed to launch the PREVENT initiative (PRomoting and Enabling Vaccination Efficiently, Now and Tomorrow). This program targets mid-sized hatcheries across Africa, including Nigeria, aiming to distribute over 50 million vaccinated day-old chicks annually. The initiative not only provides vaccines but also trains over 200 field technicians who offer ongoing support to poultry farmers, advising on best practices in animal health and farm management.
The impact of these programs is significant. For instance, the PREVENT initiative has already vaccinated over 98 million day-old chicks, surpassing its initial targets. Moreover, the programs have facilitated the registration of twenty different vaccines across various African countries, enhancing the availability of effective immunization options for poultry diseases.
Beyond health benefits, these vaccination programs contribute to economic growth by reducing losses due to disease outbreaks and improving the efficiency of poultry production. They also promote gender inclusivity by recognizing and supporting the role of women in poultry farming, ensuring that interventions are accessible and beneficial to all stakeholders in the industry.
The collaborative efforts of Ceva Group, Jmages, Dbestline, and other partners are revolutionizing poultry farming in Nigeria through innovative hatchery vaccination programs. By focusing on training, standardized procedures, and comprehensive support, these initiatives are building a more resilient and productive poultry sector, contributing to food security and economic development in the country.
