Poultry husbandry experts from 14 African nations have gathered in Korea to write a manual that outlines technical specifications for poultry husbandry that are customizable for rural farmers across the African continent.
The Rural Development Administration (RDA) held its first workshop for members of the Korea-Africa Food & Agriculture Cooperation Initiative (KAFACI) on June 14. Representatives discussed ways to increase the productivity of market-oriented chicken producers across their countries.
The KAFACI is a multi-nation council that strives to promote sustainable agricultural growth in Africa, to reduce poverty and to improve food security for rural farmers. The aim of the current workshop, scheduled until June 23, is for members to share their poultry farming expertise and industry data, and to apply research tools to publish a customized manual for chicken farming.
Representing countries from every part of the African continent — from Ethiopia and the Ivory Coast through to Tunisia and Malawi — KAFACI member states come from regions that lack agricultural skills and program planning in terms of agricultural extension. Taking into consideration the differences in production and consumption levels, as well as other country-specific issues, the members have agreed to customize the manual for each economy and environment. These manuals, to be published in both English and French, will be distributed to agricultural leaders in each nation and then used, in turn, to educate the larger farming community.
Director Oh Sung-Jong of the RDA’s National Institute of Animal Science said, “It’s our hope that the poultry husbandry manual produced through this KAFACI workshop will provide small-scale chicken farmers with the tools to increase productivity on their farms.”
By Lee Hana
Korea.net Staff Writer
Photos: Rural Development Administration
hlee10@korea.kr