ADDIS ABABA – A pivotal regional meeting focusing on poultry development in East Africa is scheduled to take place next week in Addis Ababa, aimed at enhancing chicken production and marketing strategies across the region.

According to Ethiopian News Agency, the summit, organized by IGAD’s Center for Pastoralists Areas and Livestock Development, will evaluate the current state of the poultry sector, particularly village chicken production, which constitutes over 90% of the poultry population in the region. The poultry industry in most IGAD countries is largely characterized by non-commercial, low-input systems that utilize traditional management and local breeds.

The two-day event, set for July 16 to 17, will also explore successful practices from backyard chicken production, including breed selection, housing, husbandry, health, and flock management, with the aim of replicating these practices in similar regions. These discussions are expected to facilitate the sharing of documented best practices and enhance the quality and production of poultry products, potentially reducing the need for poultry imports.

Participants will include poultry officers from both federal and national levels, key stakeholders from the private sector, researchers from dryland centers specializing in poultry, and representatives from poultry associations. They will review the status of poultry production and marketing, particularly in arid and semi-arid areas, and discuss challenges and opportunities within the sector. Additionally, relevant international organizations and NGOs have been invited to contribute to the discussions.