Published on April 9, 2025
A wonderful technical seminar with Hatch Africa
On April 3rd and 4th, SASSO and Hatch Africa came together in Addis Ababa for a two-day technical seminar that gathered 40 technical managers from across six countries: Ethiopia, Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya, Ghana, and Ivory Coast. With participants representing every link in the production chain, from breeder farms and hatcheries to feed mills, the event was a true showcase of collaboration and expertise.
The goal of the seminar was simple: to share the latest insights, exchange experiences, and collectively strengthen the technical knowledge behind SASSO’s breeding programs in Africa. And it delivered.
Two intense days of learning and impactful exchanges
The sessions were designed to encourage active discussion, with each topic allowing time for questions and open dialogue. From the introduction of the new SA51A management guide to the control of Avian Influenza, the agenda covered a wide range of very important topics.
Participants also had the opportunity to explore the importance of feed quality, hatchery management, and daily routines on breeder farms. Specific sessions addressed key challenges such as heat stress, vaccination strategies or water quality, offering both theoretical knowledge and practical solutions.
The atmosphere throughout the event was very dynamic and engaged, which made the seminar all the more interesting and enriching. Discussions reflected the technical level of the attendees, who demonstrated both a strong understanding of the challenges they face and a drive to continually improve. The diversity of roles and countries represented enriched the exchanges and enabled multiple points of view to be heard, covering all the critical and technical issues faced by breeders.
A collective energy for a shared progress
What truly set this seminar apart was the spirit behind it. The event wasn't only about presentations, it was about people. Across the sessions, the level of engagement and collaboration in the push to drive progress was impressive, with participants actively contributing, asking insightful questions and sharing their own experiences. Informal moments over lunch and dinner brought everyone closer, allowing for more relaxed conversations and creating stronger bonds.
The seminar ended on a high note, with positive energy and mutual gratitude felt by all. The collective feedback was clear: this type of initiative is not only appreciated, it’s essential. And there was one shared takeaway that resonated with everyone involved: we’re looking forward to the next one.
We would like to say a huge “Thank You!” to everyone who participate in this event and made it such a success. And a special thanks to the amazing speakers - Rosaly Steyn, Gert Coertze, David Ellis, Justin Benade, Teodros Tsige and Fikresilassie Dawit - who gave so much impact to this seminar and guided us along the road in achieving progress in traditional poultry farming. And of course we would like to thanks our teams – Alba Mesas, Diogo Ito, Mark Cornelissen and Louis Perrault – for their highly-valued contribution to make these two days so impactful.
