Poultry

Kenya's State Department for Livestock Development has selected more than 80 women's groups in Homa Bay as beneficiaries of its livestock empowerment programme launched across all 47 counties

Smallholder farmers in Homa Bay received improved KENBRO chicks as First Lady Rachel Ruto presided over the distribution. According to principal livestock production officer, Fred Oruru, these chicks add to the hardiness of local breeds, making them exceptionally disease-resilient, with a laying capacity of 200 and 280 eggs a year. That is a marked improvement in egg production compared with about 45 eggs from indigenous birds. They can also attain a weight of 2 to 2.5 kilogrammes in 3.5 months, compared with 1 to 1.5 kilogrammes in eight months for local breeds.

The upgraded breed will support 3.6 million households, especially women and youth, said Oruru. 

“With proper management, chicken farming can become one of the most profitable and sustainable ventures for smallholders in Homa Bay. The handover is not an end in itself but part of a continuous programme to transform the poultry industry nationally,” he said.

Ruto defined the initiative as transformational for the region's livestock sector as it will boost food security, nutrition and household incomes.

“The women have been equipped with skills to build viable and sustainable enterprises. The programme will economically empower them and improve their source of livelihoods,” she said.

According to Ruto, women must see agriculture more than just food source for their families and take it as a opportunity for wealth creation that can sustain generations. 

Overall the programme will be benefitting 1,200 women groups by providing livelihood support through sustainable enterprises promotion for increased household incomes.

“A society where women are empowered progresses. We support the programme because it is a way of sustaining the livelihoods of people,” said Homa Bay's Governor, Gladys Wanga, Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga while speaking of advancing financial inclusion and enterprise development through the initiative. 

The participants gained access to both local expertise and global best practices.

Wadi Group successfully held its 12th Wadi Poultry Academy, bringing together poultry professionals and industry experts for four days of intensive learning, collaboration and professional development

Held from 11-14 May, the Academy continued Wadi Group’s long-standing commitment to advancing poultry knowledge and supporting the sustainable growth of Egypt’s poultry industry.

Through the continued collaboration between Wadi Group and Aviagen, participants gained access to both local expertise and global best practices covering the latest developments in poultry production, flock management, biosecurity, nutrition, quality assurance and performance optimisation of their Ross® 308 flocks.

As Aviagen’s Ross distributor in Egypt, Wadi Group has worked closely with Aviagen for decades to support poultry producers with world-class genetics, expertise and customer support. The Wadi Poultry Academy has become a cornerstone of this shared commitment, creating opportunities for current and future industry professionals to learn from experienced practitioners and leading experts while supporting succession planning and equipping the next generation with the knowledge and skills needed to drive the industry’s future success.

Puzant Dakessian, CEO, Poultry Sector, Wadi Group opened the event, reaffirming Wadi’s belief that education remains one of the strongest drivers of industry progress. He also highlighted Wadi’s ongoing growth plans despite the challenges facing the global poultry sector.

Since it was established, the Wadi Poultry Academy has evolved into one of the region’s most respected poultry education initiatives. The Academy reflects Wadi Group’s broader mission of fostering continuous learning, strengthening customer relationships and supporting the long-term success of the poultry sector.

The event concluded with a closing ceremony and certificate presentation recognizing participants’ commitment to professional development and industry excellence.

As Wadi Group looks toward the future, the company remains dedicated to sharing knowledge, promoting innovation and empowering poultry professionals with the tools needed to succeed in an increasingly dynamic industry.

“The success of the Wadi Poultry Academy reflects the strengt6h of our collaboration with Aviagen and our shared belief that education is essential for the future of poultry production. By bringing together global expertise and local experience, we are helping poultry professionals develop the knowledge and skills needed to meet the challenges of a rapidly evolving industry," commented Puzant.

Kayhan Gursel, Senior Commercial Manager, TMENA, added, “The Wadi Poultry Academy has become an outstanding example of how collaboration and knowledge sharing can help drive industry progress. We are proud to continue working alongside Wadi Group to support poultry producers throughout Egypt and the wider region.”

GEA takes AI dairy farming to the next level with New Belfast Software Lab.(Image credit: GEA)

GEA has opened a brand new software development lab in Belfast, Northern Ireland, marking a bold step forward in its mission to reshape modern dairy farming through technology. Housed at The Innovation Centre, the lab will bring 20 new roles in software development and UX design to the region, all dedicated to advancing GEA's flagship AI livestock solution, CattleEye, alongside its wider digital farming portfolio.

CattleEye is no ordinary piece of kit. The system is built to detect and predict lameness in cattle at an early stage and gather vital data on body condition scores, giving farmers the kind of precise, timely insight that can genuinely change how they manage their herds. Already active on more than 140 farms spanning the UK, Europe, the United States and Australia, the technology is currently keeping watch over more than 200,000 cattle across 23 countries as part of GEA's DairyNet herd management platform.

GEA acquired CattleEye in 2024, and the Belfast expansion represents the next chapter in embedding that technology deeper into its farming ecosystem. "With our new software lab in Belfast, GEA is strengthening its role as a technology leader in digital dairy farming," says Andreas Seeringer, CEO of GEA Farm Technologies. "By improving animal health and well-being through AI-based solutions like CattleEye, dairy farms become more efficient, more sustainable, and ultimately more profitable. That is why we commit to accelerating development in this area, driving technology innovation in our digital herd management solutions."

Northern Ireland was a natural fit for the venture, given its deep rooted dairy farming heritage and a tech sector that is quietly making a name for itself. Terry Canning, CattleEye co-founder and Senior Director at GEA, describes what the lab means in practice: "The new software lab will be a significant milestone in integrating CattleEye fully into our state-of-the-art herd management systems and will extend our digital footprint in farming. In the future, farmers can expect features which help reduce additional investments in equipment and necessary animal treatments. It will also help customers to farm more efficiently and cut greenhouse gas emissions through automated data insights."

Regional development agency Invest NI, backed in part by the UK Government Shared Prosperity Fund, is supporting the project financially. Vicky Kell, Director of Innovation, Research and Development at Invest NI, was clear about what it signals: "This investment in R&D is a vote of confidence in our talent, infrastructure and capabilities in Northern Ireland. The benefits of investing in R&D are rich, and the CattleEye solution is a testament to how R&D can further develop innovative products which can drive competitiveness in the global agri-tech market."

Poultry producers across sub-Saharan Africa can now access grandparents production. (Image source: Cobb)

Advancing poultry production, food security and agricultural development across East Africa, Cobb-Vantress and Irvine’s Group have opened Cobb East Africa Limited, a joint venture Grandparent Facility located in Naibili Village, Siha District, Kilimanjaro Region 

As a result of the combined investment, the facility will bring international-scale poultry genetics expertise to Africa. When a dynamic market for affordable protien like East Africa's has to wait for breeding stock imported from overseas, logistical and supply chain gaps become exposed. One of the rapidly evolving poultry market, a genetics supply base will make a huge difference for East Africa as it will eliminate the need for overseas dependence when the source becomes available at hand.

With the new facility becoming operational, poultry producers across sub-Saharan Africa can now access to grandparents production in support of generating parent stock. This will give producers a competitive edge empowered by reliable supply chains, shorter lead times and heightened market engagement. 

The proximity of the facility also enables stronger on-the-ground technical support and closer collaboration with Cobb specialists — helping customers achieve improved flock performance and productivity at farm level.

“The opening of Cobb East Africa represents a major step forward in our long-term commitment to the African poultry industry,” said Shelby Watkins. “This investment is about more than expanding production capacity, it is about strengthening food security, supporting local farmers, creating sustainable employment opportunities, and helping make high-quality protein more accessible and affordable for families across East Africa. We are proud to partner with the region as it continues to grow and develop its agricultural potential.”

Theo Bezuidenhout added: “This is the culmination of years of planning and shared vision. The impact on local employment and economic activity has already been significant, and we believe this is only the beginning for what Cobb East Africa can deliver for the region.”

Craig Irvine, CEO of Irvine’s Group, said the joint venture was the natural culmination of a relationship stretching back to 1962. “Irvine’s Group has distributed Cobb genetics across Africa for more than six decades. We know this market deeply, and Cobb East Africa demonstrates what is possible when you combine that knowledge and experience with the world’s finest poultry genetics.”

Will Sawyer said “Facilities like Cobb East Africa help position us to better support customers through improved surety of supply and enhanced service capability, as the poultry industry in East Africa continues to show strong potential for growth.”

Approximately 140 jobs have already been created through the development of the facility, with 98% of employees being Tanzanian citizens, contributing directly to local economic activity and improved livelihoods in surrounding communities.