The NGO SAILD organized an information day on February 06, 2025 at the Center for the Promotion of Women and the Family in Yaoundé 5, with the aim of promoting organic broiler farming.
Producing at lower cost while respecting the environment is the essential message conveyed during this information day organized by the Support Service for Local Development Initiatives (SAILD). The event, which featured a variety of presentations, enabled over a hundred people to learn about organic broiler rearing, i.e. without the use of synthetic chemicals.
Speaking at the event, Nji Nana, a zootechnical engineer, outlined the aspects to be taken into account when raising organic chickens. These included production stages, organic chicken feed, organic prophylaxis programs, the main diseases and symptoms that animals can suffer from, and treatments. “Feeding is the key to having healthy animals. Instead of buying feed from approved sales outlets, it’s better for each farmer to formulate the feed himself, so that he has exact control over what his animals eat, and this reduces the cost,” she asserted.
Plants for medical prophylaxis
According to the expert, natural plants are also used to substitute some nutrients in the diet according to their different intakes; and for the treatment of certain diseases. “The mixture of Moringha, garlic, thyme, bird’s eye chili, aloe vera and papaya seeds acts as an antibiotic” she added. Participants also benefited from the experience of an organic chicken breeder. Practical case studies also enabled them to learn about organic feed and treatment compositions.
This initiative is part of Output B of the “Knowledge Center for Organic Agriculture and Agroecology in Africa” (KCOA) project, financed by the German cooperation agency GIZ. “Following a survey, we discovered that conventionally-raised broiler chickens are not always made according to the rules of the art. Some farmers use products that are not in compliance with the conditions of use. Antibiotics, for example, are given to the chickens until they are put on the market, although they must be stopped at least ten days before consumption. And it’s these products, over-administered to animals, that cause certain illnesses in consumers”, explained Appolinaire Tetang, in charge of knowledge dissemination. This information day on organic broiler farming was therefore an opportunity to encourage the general public to favor sustainable practices for the well-being of all.
- Sharon Maché
