Visitor registration is now open for VIV MEA 2025, the region’s leading trade exhibition for the animal husbandry and agribusiness sector

Taking place from 25-27 November 2025 at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC), the event will bring together global industry professionals from across the animal protein supply chain.

Firmly established as the go-to platform for the Middle East and Africa’s animal farming sector, VIV MEA covers every link from feed to food.

This upcoming edition will feature more than 500 exhibitors and welcome over 10,000 visitors for three days of business networking, product launches, and expert-led discussions on topics including animal health, sustainable farming, biosecurity, and production efficiency.

VIV MEA 2025 will showcase a comprehensive range of animal sectors including poultry, dairy, cattle, fish, goats, camels, eggs, and calves. New for this edition is the Aquatic Pavilion, a dedicated space highlighting solutions for aquaculture.

Key sessions include the Aquatic Conference (taking place the day before the show), AgriBITs (focusing on agri-tech innovation), and the 4th Poultry Marketing Roundtable (PMRT) on 26 November.

A press statement from the organisers said that with its world-class infrastructure, Abu Dhabi serves as the ideal host city, offering a strategic gateway to regional markets and a vibrant destination for international visitors.

Early registration allows attendees to skip queues, access updates, and start connecting with exhibitors and speakers ahead of time. "With its strong regional focus and international reach, the show serves as a vital meeting point to forge partnerships, discover innovations, and shape the future of food production in the Middle East and Africa," the statement added. 

Last year, VIV Africa featured 40 specialised sessions, practical workshops and networking opportunities. The event underscored its growing significance as a key platform for advancing the future of African animal protein production, and brought together industry professionals, thought leaders, local youth and innovators to exchange knowledge, build partnerships, and showcase the latest trends and developments in animal husbandry and agricultural scene.  VIV Africa was hosted at the Kigali Convention Centre from 2-3 October. 

As poultry farming continues to transition toward antibiotic-free systems, maintaining gut health has become a growing challenge.

The removal of antibiotics has led to increased issues such as dysbiosis, leaky gut, and enteric diseases, particularly during the early days of a chick’s life—a critical window for gut development and immune system establishment.

Several factors contribute to poor gut health in modern poultry systems. Feed ingredients contaminated with mycotoxins or anti-nutritional compounds can damage the intestinal lining and trigger chronic inflammation. Infections such as Clostridium perfringens and the growing resistance to anticoccidial drugs further aggravate the situation by compromising gut tissue and encouraging pathogenic growth. Environmental stressors like heat, overcrowding, transport, and feed transitions weaken the birds' natural defenses. In addition, rapid flock turnover creates instability, reducing the time for recovery and adaptation, which leaves birds more vulnerable to gut-related illnesses.

To address these challenges, nutritionists and poultry health experts are increasingly turning to biotic-based strategies. Among them, postbiotics, and in particular tributyrin, have emerged as a powerful tool for supporting gut health without the need for antibiotics. Tributyrin is a stable form of butyric acid that delivers direct benefits to the intestinal tract. It reaches the lower gut, where it plays a crucial role in strengthening the gut wall, reducing inflammation, and suppressing the growth of harmful bacteria by lowering intestinal pH. Unlike raw butyric acid, tributyrin has no offensive odor and is more effective thanks to its targeted delivery and greater stability during feed processing.

Tributyrin also enhances nutrient absorption and feed efficiency, supporting better weight gain and overall bird performance. Its unique ability to provide energy to intestinal cells while modulating the immune response makes it a valuable component in antibiotic-free poultry systems. When used alongside other biotics—such as prebiotics that feed beneficial bacteria and probiotics that introduce competitive microbes-tributyrin helps restore microbial balance and repair gut integrity from multiple angles.

The benefits of tributyrin are significantly enhanced when paired with Gastrointestinal Environment Harmonization (GEH) technology. GEH ensures controlled release and targeted action within specific regions of the gut, increasing the effectiveness of tributyrin while also protecting other biotic components through feed processing and digestion.

As the poultry industry continues to pursue sustainable and profitable production, tributyrin represents a critical advancement in gut health management. Its ability to reinforce the gut barrier, reduce inflammation, and improve performance-all without antibiotics-makes it an essential solution for modern poultry nutrition strategies focused on bird welfare, productivity, and long-term viability.

Kenya and Iran have agreed to form a joint committee that will work to eliminate trade barriers and clear the way for the lifting of a ban on Kenyan tea exports to Iran within 60 days.

This decision was made during the 7th Session of the Kenya-Iran Joint Commission for Cooperation (JCC) held in Nairobi, co-chaired by Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi and Iran’s Minister of Agricultural Jihad, Gholamreza Nouri Ghezalcheh.

The move follows a trade scandal involving a Kenyan firm, Cup of Joe Limited, which led to the diplomatic fallout and subsequent ban. The company was found guilty of importing low-quality tea, blending it, and re-exporting the product to Iran as premium Kenyan tea. This fraudulent act not only violated trade ethics but also compromised the credibility of Kenya’s globally respected tea brand. As a result, the Tea Board of Kenya has deregistered the company, and it now faces prosecution.

Senator Mutahi Kagwe, agriculture and livestock development cabinet secretary, emphasised that new regulatory measures will be introduced to prevent similar incidents in the future. “Kenya’s tea sector is one of our largest foreign exchange earners, and we must protect it from unscrupulous traders who damage our reputation,” said the CS.

Iran ranks among the top ten importers of Kenyan tea. In 2024, it imported approximately 13 million kilogrammes, valued at KSh 4.26 billion, according to data from the Tea Board of Kenya. Pakistan remained the top importer, accounting for 34.7% of Kenya’s tea export volume, translating to over KSh 70 billion in revenue. Overall, Kenyan tea reached 96 international markets in 2024, up from 92 in the previous year. However, the ban by Iran has led to significant financial losses for Kenyan farmers and exporters, prompting urgent diplomatic action.

Other major export destinations for Kenyan tea include Egypt (86.9 million kg worth KSh 23.96 billion), the UK (57.44 million kg at KSh 16.99 billion), UAE (30.5 million kg valued at KSh 10.27 billion), Russia (28.46 million kg worth KSh 7.43 billion), and India (17.13 million kg valued at KSh 3.94 billion). Saudi Arabia and Yemen also continue to be significant markets.

The newly formed joint committee will develop a framework aimed at restoring trust and ensuring strict adherence to quality standards. Both nations are hopeful that this effort will lead to a full resumption of tea exports before the end of the 60-day timeline.

As Namibia gears up for the rollout of its Sixth National Development Plan (NDP6), digital transformation stands out as one of the country’s most ambitious goals.

Although much of the public focus has been on food security, agriculture, and manufacturing, NDP6 quietly lays out a detailed strategy aimed at turning Namibia into a digital economy by 2030.

This transformation will touch all sectors—from classrooms and government departments to rural communities. The plan, which spans from 2025/26 to 2029/30, recognises digital infrastructure, cybersecurity, and inclusive education as vital foundations for sustainable national development.

According to the Implementation, Monitoring and Evaluation Plan (IMEP), internet penetration is set to rise dramatically—from 53% today to 90% by 2030. The goal is to create a digitally connected society where improved access to technology, currently at 28%, will jump to 70%.

“By 2030, Namibia will be a player in the global digital economy,” the NDP6 IMEP states.

One of the centrepieces of this shift is the establishment of a National Data Centre, which will securely manage and store government information. The plan describes it as a core piece of national infrastructure, “supporting government operations, public services and private sector innovation.” It’s also a step toward securing data sovereignty, as it ensures sensitive national data remains within Namibian borders.

Cybersecurity is another critical area of focus. Namibia currently scores just 37 in cybersecurity readiness, but NDP6 is aiming to raise that to 65 by 2030. “To achieve this, Namibia will enact national cybersecurity legislation and strengthen the capacity of the Namibia Cybersecurity Incident Response Team (Nam-CSIRT),” the document states. Nam-CSIRT will be responsible for detecting and managing cyber threats across both public and private sectors.

Another major step is introducing artificial intelligence (AI) and cybersecurity education in schools and universities. “The programme aims to support the development of AI and cybersecurity curriculum for basic and higher education institutions,” the plan outlines. This includes digital literacy training to help students understand emerging technologies and navigate digital risks.

The government also plans to close the digital gap between urban and rural communities. Underserved areas will receive upgraded broadband infrastructure, ICT-ready schools, and community internet hubs. “Namibia’s digital transformation cannot succeed if it excludes rural communities,” the strategy notes. “Affordable access, local content and digital inclusion will be the foundation of an equitable digital economy.”

Currently, just 13 public institutions offer digital services. NDP6 aims for 100% digitalisation of government services by 2029/30, enabling citizens to access essential public functions online. The implementation of the Access to Information Act will further support this goal, promoting transparent, efficient and responsive governance.