Poultry Futures Forum 2024: Transforming Africa’s Poultry Sector for Growth and Resilience

As Africa continues to explore solutions for food security and economic growth, the Poultry Futures Forum, set to take place on October 16-17, 2024, in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, emerges as a pivotal event for the continent’s poultry industry. Hosted by the Poultry Association of Tanzania in collaboration with Food Action Alliance, the forum brings together key players in the sector—farmers, policymakers, researchers, investors, and industry leaders—to address the pressing challenges and unlock the potential of Africa’s poultry sector.

The Growing Demand for Poultry Products
Poultry farming is critical in addressing food security, providing affordable and nutritious protein to millions of households across Africa. The sector is also an important source of employment and income for smallholder farmers, particularly in Tanzania and other East African nations. However, as demand for poultry products continues to rise, driven by population growth and changing dietary preferences, the industry faces several hurdles that must be addressed for sustained growth.

Key Challenges and Opportunities
The Poultry Futures Forum will focus on tackling these challenges head-on, from issues such as supply chain disruptions, disease management, and limited access to affordable feed to broader concerns about market access and climate resilience. The forum aims to offer practical solutions, leveraging innovation and technology to improve poultry farming practices.

One of the key challenges for the poultry sector is the high cost of feed, which accounts for up to 70% of production costs. With most poultry feed in Africa relying on imported maize and soybeans, price volatility and supply shortages can severely impact farmers’ ability to maintain production levels. The forum will explore alternatives such as using locally sourced feed ingredients and adopting sustainable feed production practices to mitigate these challenges.

Another critical focus will be on disease control. Poultry farmers across Africa face significant losses due to outbreaks of diseases like Newcastle disease and avian influenza, which can devastate flocks. The forum will provide a platform for experts to share knowledge on vaccination programs, biosecurity measures, and disease management strategies to help farmers protect their flocks.

Innovation and Technology as Catalysts for Growth
The future of Africa’s poultry sector lies in its ability to innovate and embrace modern technologies. From automated feeding systems to data-driven farm management tools, the forum will showcase emerging technologies that are revolutionizing the poultry industry worldwide. These innovations can significantly enhance farm productivity, reduce costs, and improve overall animal welfare.

One example of innovation is the use of mobile-based platforms that connect farmers with suppliers, veterinarians, and buyers. These platforms can improve market access, facilitate knowledge exchange, and provide real-time information on poultry prices and trends. The forum will highlight success stories from farmers who have benefited from adopting such digital solutions, showcasing their potential to scale across the continent.

Building Resilience through Collaboration
The Poultry Futures Forum is more than just a conference; it’s a space for fostering collaboration and building partnerships that can drive change in the sector. By bringing together stakeholders from across Africa and beyond, the forum aims to strengthen the poultry value chain, from production to processing and distribution.

Public-private partnerships (PPPs) will be a central theme, with discussions on how governments can work with the private sector to create a favorable environment for poultry farming. This includes improving infrastructure, providing access to finance, and supporting research and development efforts aimed at boosting poultry production.

Moreover, the forum will also focus on how African countries can scale up local production to meet growing domestic demand and reduce reliance on imports. With many African countries importing a significant portion of their poultry products, there is a clear opportunity to boost local production and increase the continent’s self-sufficiency.

Sustainability in Poultry Farming
Sustainability is a key focus for the Poultry Futures Forum, particularly in light of growing concerns about the environmental impact of large-scale poultry production. Discussions will center around how farmers can adopt more sustainable practices, including the use of renewable energy on farms, reducing water consumption, and minimizing waste.

The forum will also explore how climate change is affecting poultry farming and what measures can be taken to build climate resilience in the sector. This includes developing more heat-tolerant breeds, improving animal housing designs, and adopting practices that reduce the carbon footprint of poultry farms.