Poultry Industry Pushes for Green Practices Ahead of July Symposium

Summary:

• Stakeholders in the poultry value chain are advocating for environmentally friendly practices to boost industry resilience, productivity, and environmental protection. Ahead of the July 8, 2024, symposium, Prof. Gudula Nayiga Basazza of the Gudie Incubation Center emphasized the importance of sustainable waste management, energy use, water conservation, and eco-friendly packaging.

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KAMPALA, (Examiner) – In a strong push towards sustainability, stakeholders in the poultry value chain are advocating for more environmentally friendly practices, from brooding to market. This move comes as preparations intensify for the upcoming poultry value chain symposium on July 8, 2024. The consensus is clear: greening the value chain will enhance industry resilience to climate change, boost productivity, and significantly contribute to environmental protection efforts.

Prof. Gudula Nayiga Basazza, CEO of the Gudie Incubation Center, emphasized the importance of integrating green practices across the poultry industry. Highlighting the responsible handling of chicken litter, she noted, “In 2021, with 57 million chickens, each producing at least three kilos of waste, improper disposal significantly contributes to greenhouse gas emissions.”

Nayiga advocates for comprehensive waste management plans, urging farmers to consider how they dispose of or repurpose chicken litter. She stressed the importance of using sustainable energy sources in the brooding process, posing critical questions about current practices. “Are you using charcoal? How many trees are cut to brood all those chickens?” Nayiga called for alternatives like solar power, electricity, and eco-friendly briquettes to minimize environmental impact.

Water management and food conservation also featured prominently in the discussions. The meeting emphasized modern conservation techniques to ensure resources are not wasted, further advocating for recycling and responsible disposal of slaughter remains to enhance both poultry and human life.

The stakeholders underscored the need for environmentally friendly packaging and value addition processes. “If I go to the supermarket and pick that chicken, it comes in a polyethylene bag. Where do I throw that bag? We need to find a way of eliminating this. If you want to roast your chicken, what energy are you using? Are you conserving the environment?”

The symposium aims to address all aspects of the poultry value chain that could potentially harm the environment, promoting recycling and sustainable practices to reduce contamination. The message is clear: farmers must understand the environmental implications of their farming methods to ensure a greener future for the poultry industry.

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