The International Symposium on Pathways to Reduce the Need for Antimicrobials to Support Sustainable Livestock Transformation (RENOFARM) took place from 25-26 April in Chongqing, China

Stakeholders, experts and politicians from around the globe gathered at the RENOFARM symposium last month, to discuss the pressing issue of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) which is becoming a serious problem across Africa, particularly in the agriculture sector. By taking part, AU-IBAR demonstrated its dedication to fighting antimicrobial resistance and promoting sustainable livestock practices among African Union member states.

The symposium which was in line with the goals of the African Union Commission (AUC) and the African Union Framework for Antimicrobial Resistance Control (2020-2025), was convened by the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) to present the project, encourage participation, and pinpoint important approaches to put it into action. Besides enhancing the worldwide response to AMR, the symposium also promoted One Health concepts through collaborations with groups like AU-IBAR.

The significance of customised strategies for various livestock value chains was further emphasised at the symposium, which also brought attention to the priorities and difficulties encountered by African Union member states in executing RENOFARM. Throughout the symposium, various sessions and presentations addressed critical issues related to reducing the need for antimicrobials. Topics ranged from EU One Health actions and biosecurity measures to national action plans and good production practices. Key achievements included the launch of the RENOFARM initiative, the exchange of country and regional priorities, and the issuance of the Rongchang Statement outlining future actions. Participants emphasised the importance of accelerating the implementation of national action plans, strengthening evidence-based policy-making, and promoting international collaboration.

A presentation titled 'Alternatives to Antimicrobials to Reduce the Need for Antimicrobials - Examples from African Union Member States,' was also delivered by AU-IBAR's AMR Expert, Dr Joseph Magona, providing valuable insights into the key pathways for implementing RENOFARM within African Union member states. In addition, he also shed light on alternative strategies to mitigate antimicrobial use in various livestock value-chains, emphasising the importance of good husbandry practices, vaccination, and biosecurity measures.

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) recently inaugurated a new drilling project, aimed at improving employment opportunities for youth through improved dairy and fodder production 

Promising to transform the lives of members of the Luumo Kosam Dairy Cooperative in Chukun, Nigeria, the project which was initiated by the Value Chain Foundation with financial support from ECOWAS and the Swiss Cooperation (DDC), is part of the Regional Programme for Support to Farmer Organisations (PRAOP). 

The objective of the project is to improve the dairy and fooder production by enhancing local milk production through the establishment of family dairy farms and the management of cows and calves, increasing the availability and accessibility of feed and forage, and facilitating knowledge sharing among dairy farmers and stakeholders. This in turn improves employment opportunities for youth. 

At the end of its implementation, the project is expected to create 22 direct jobs, produce 400 tons of fodder, train 600 youths from 100 households and 10 young individuals, connect 100 households to inputs and services such as feed, forage, medications, veterinary services, and artificial insemination, and link 100 households to governments, development partners, milk supply, with an additional production of 300 liters of raw milk per day and an increase in beneficiaries’ income by about 200%.

The handover of the drilling to the Luumo Kosam Dairy Cooperative and its members, who are primarily composed of livestock farmers, marks a significant step in promoting youth employability and improving the living conditions of cooperative members. The Chukun region, like many other rural areas in Nigeria, faces challenges in accessing clean water, which often hinders agricultural activities and limits development opportunities. 

Therefore, by providing a reliable and essential water source for cooperative members and livestock watering, the project will help improve their main source of livelihood, thus demonstrating ECOWAS’s commitment to sustainable and inclusive development in West Africa.

In 2024, South African raisin producers have indeed made an impressive recovery, achieving a total crop size of 95,000 tonnes, marking a significant improvement from the challenges faced in the previous years 

Companies like GrapeHarvest SA and SunRaisins Ltd. have played a pivotal role in this resurgence, focusing on quality, sustainability, and consumer engagement.

The combination of optimal climate conditions, including well-distributed rainfall and ample sunlight, has resulted in some of the best quality and most diverse variety of raisins yet. This achievement not only reflects the resilience of South African raisin producers but also highlights the potential for future growth in the dried fruit category.

The upcoming PR campaign in the UK, led by GrapeHarvest SA and SunRaisins Ltd., demonstrates a strategic shift towards targeting both trade and consumer audiences. By organising activities such as trips for key buyers and trade journalists to the Orange River region, retailer roadshows, and continued media placements, they aim to showcase the excellence of South African raisin production and engage with both industry stakeholders and consumers.

Furthermore, the commitment of GrapeHarvest SA and SunRaisins Ltd. to responsible business practices, including human rights, environmental protection, social responsibility, and product traceability, adds a layer of trust and credibility to their offerings. Customers can be assured of not only excellent-quality raisins bursting with flavor but also products that align with their values and health-conscious lifestyles.

Ferdie Botha, CEO of Raisins SA, said, “Customers can look forward to excellent-quality South African raisins this year. They are bursting with flavour and natural goodness, and as they are packed full of nutrients such as fibre, iron, calcium and antioxidants, they are perfect for New Year health diets. We are excited to work closely with customers and bring new consumers into the category.”

Symaga has successfully implemented its new SGA and MES IT systems, significantly enhancing the efficiency of its raw material and finished product warehouse management 

The SGA system allows real-time execution of the raw material reception process, which is interconnected with Symaga's ERP system. This integration enables the immediate use of incoming materials, resulting in a more efficient storage system. Inventory management is streamlined using DataMatrix codes, facilitating the quick and accurate handling of large volumes of products.

Furthermore, the new SGA systems improve picking and loading operations by optimizing package allocation within the warehouse, thereby increasing efficiency and safety.

The MES system enhances product quality and manufacturing control by automating quality control processes and alerting operators when necessary checks are required. It provides real-time monitoring of all machines, recording and reporting incidents detected by operators, thereby improving production management. The MES system integration also facilitates order preparation from the factory, optimizes the creation of packing lists, and enhances order shipments through terminals equipped with code readers for real-time registration, reducing human errors.

Symaga has been awarded a Certificate in Technological Innovation by the Spanish Certification Agency ACEI for the design and development of this comprehensive system. This award recognizes Symaga's contribution to the digital transformation towards Industry 4.0 during the implementation of the SGA and MES systems.

The intelligent digital management of warehouses and production is enabling Symaga to increase efficiency and productivity. This leads to cost reductions and faster, more efficient deliveries of its silos, enhancing competitiveness and supporting the corporate vision of becoming the largest manufacturer of storage solutions worldwide.