SOMALIA – The Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA) has introduced the “Breeding Broiler Production Project” in Somalia, aiming to reduce the nation’s dependence on imported chicken meat and support its broader livestock sector.
This initiative builds upon TİKA’s previous projects, which began in 2020 and focused on developing poultry farming in Somalia in collaboration with Zamzam University’s Anatolian Faculty of Agriculture.
In the earlier stages of the project, a poultry house and hatchery were established at the university, followed by the construction of a Feed Production Center at Mogadishu’s City University in 2023.
The current phase, launched under the “Breeding Broiler Production Project,” focuses on domestic broiler production, helping Somalia meet its chicken meat demands.
In 2022, Somalia imported US$20 million worth of poultry meat, making it the 118th largest poultry importer globally.
The primary suppliers included Brazil, the UAE, Turkey, the US, and Ukraine. This reliance on imports, with Brazil alone accounting for US$5.85 million, underscores the significance of TİKA’s efforts to boost local production.
The project involves the introduction of Türkiye’s domestic broiler breed, Anadolu-T, with 5,900 mother and father line eggs incubated at the university’s facility in Mogadishu.
Turkish experts oversee the process, ensuring the health and quality of the chicks before transferring them to breeder poultry houses for further care.
Additionally, TİKA has organised training programs for students and lecturers at the Faculty of Agriculture, equipping them with essential knowledge on chicken production.
The Breeding Broiler Production Project aims to achieve several key outcomes for Somalia. First, it will enhance food security by decreasing reliance on imported poultry, stabilising food prices, and ensuring a consistent supply of protein.
Second, the project is expected to generate economic opportunities, particularly in rural areas, where poultry farming could become a sustainable source of income for both men and women.
TİKA is helping combat poverty and fostering economic development by providing farmers with the necessary skills and tools.
Moreover, the project is designed to have a ripple effect on Somalia’s livestock sector. By demonstrating the success of modern poultry farming techniques, TİKA is encouraging other farmers to adopt similar practices, potentially leading to greater diversification and increased agricultural output across the country.
Beyond its immediate impact on food production, the project is vital in knowledge transfer. Through TİKA’s training programs, Somali farmers and agricultural professionals are gaining expertise in running profitable and environmentally friendly chicken farms.
This knowledge helps build Somalia’s capacity for agricultural research and development, ensuring long-term benefits for the country’s farming community.
TİKA’s broiler project is just one of many initiatives the agency has undertaken across Africa, demonstrating its commitment to fostering sustainable development and food security.
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