A 2013 joint FAO and WFP survey shows that only 7% of the population of Guinea Bissau enjoys adequate nutrition, making it clear the need to pursue an increase in food production as soon as possible.

Data from the local Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development indicate that the production of eggs and poultry is seriously insufficient to meet national demand.

The reasons for this serious shortage are mainly the low productivity of rural poultry farming, the lack of specific training, the absence of modern enterprises, the difficulty in accessing agricultural credit, the dependence on foreign countries for the supply of vaccines, medicines. veterinarians and feed.

And so the egg on the tables of Guinea Bissau appears on average no more than once or twice a month.

The project, lasting 36 months, aimed to help develop a production chain of proteins of animal origin, thus reducing the food insecurity of the population and at the same time giving rise to income-generating activities. This was pursued with the structuring of an articulated poultry supply chain in both urban and rural areas, coordinated by the local partner Asas de Socorro, responsible for starting the Pilot Center for Poultry Promotion, Training and Production (CEDAVES).

The quantity of chicken feed produced during the project is 653 tonnes (288 tonnes were planned, ie less than half). The feed was served at the poultry production centers of the project, but also to many small farmers who requested it, without having to import it from Portugal or Senegal at much higher prices. 209,792 eggs are produced by the project (sorry, by the hens of the project) and placed on the local market. And there are 26,399 chickens that leave the poultry production centers of this project every year to enrich the local diet.

Now let’s see what has been done to achieve these results:

Strengthening of CEDAVES

It includes the setting up of the spaces dedicated to the preparation and packaging of feed, the installation of the necessary machinery, the setting up of poultry houses for broilers and laying hens, the creation of spaces and the purchase of equipment for incubation of eggs, the creation of spaces for training in poultry production and vaccination techniques.

The study of the feed formula, conducted by the University of Turin, was fundamental, followed by the creation of a network of cereal suppliers, belonging to 29 CSR (Rural Service Centers) and supplied for the purpose for the first campaigns with millet seeds. for a total of 2 tons.

Thus began the production of feed, after adequate staff training. And not just any feed, but differentiated into 5 different types according to the growth levels of the animals.

Strengthening of 13 poultry production centers in the area

These are both associative and family businesses. 9 training cycles on production, vaccination, marketing and administrative management were administered, involving about 300 people.

Technical accompaniment, equipment, construction materials for the expansion of existing structures, selected chicks, a first ration of quality feed were also provided.

Marketing support

We started with a market study and a production and sales plan designed by experts. A solar-powered sales center was then equipped, ending with a census of potentially interested trade fairs, markets and shops in the area.

Finally, a trade fair event was organized as part of the second National Meeting of Poultry.

Raising awareness of the population

Following a survey of 900 families in the area, various sessions of public debate were held both on the benefits of a more balanced diet and on the economic opportunities that the poultry industry can offer to small family producers. Information material on the subject was also published and disseminated. Also as a result of this, interest in opening small family farms is growing significantly.