Improving livestock hygiene increases productivity

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When an agri-delegation of about 30 Ugandans visited the Schippers Group on April 14th, the group showcased their premium brand, HyCare.

According to Johan Verhoek, Schippers area manager for Africa, this hygiene management tool, developed specifically for livestock farmers, presents an effective approach to reduce antibiotic usage by up to 99%.

In addition, it significantly enhances animal health, supports growth, and improves overall farm profitability. The foundation of the HyCare system is rooted in structured and proven hygiene practices designed to eliminate and prevent health issues before they arise.

“We have done a lot of livestock nutrition promotion over the years in Uganda, we now realise that nutrition without proper hygiene will not deliver the best results. This is why we are coming with better and easily adoptable hygiene solutions,” Johan Vehoek, the Area Manager, Schippers Group in Africa, says.

From April 13 to 17, 2026, next week, Ugandan policy makers and agripreneurs will join a trade mission to the Netherlands focused on the agriculture and horticulture sectors. The mission was organised by the Embassy of the Republic of Uganda in Brussels together with the Netherlands Africa Business Council (NABC).

In total, over 30 policymakers and farmers from Uganda attended the tour. Among these included livestock feed processors, livestock farmers, especially poultry and dairy, horticulture exporters, irrigation experts and farm waste processors.

They were led by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries, Major General David Kasura Kyomukama, the Executive Director of the Private Sector Foundation Uganda.

Uganda’s Ambassador to Belgium and the Netherlands, Mirjam Blaak, explains that the mission is designed for entrepreneurs in livestock, dairy, seeds, horticulture and cocoa who are seeking new business opportunities.

She notes that the Netherlands offers unmatched expertise in these areas and that Ugandan companies stand to benefit from exposure to advanced systems.

“We organised the tour in such a way that delegates got specific farm experiences, research information, technology and produce distribution,” she said.

Without any doubt, the mission gave Ugandan companies a chance to explore the Dutch market and deepen collaboration between the two countries.

For many years, Uganda has been trading with the Netherlands. In the last 10 years, however, because of missions like this and the Best Farmers Competition, which is organised by Vision Group, with support from the Embassy of the Netherlands, dfcu Bank, KLM Airlines and Koudjis Nutrition BV, Dutch investments in Uganda have increased.

Hygiene key

The delegation learnt that The Schippers Group provides farmers with essential tools, products, and expert coaching to implement and sustain high hygiene standards on their farms. By optimising hygiene practices, farmers can expect many benefits, including reduced antibiotic dependency, decreased animal mortality, and prevention of disease outbreaks. This leads to healthier livestock and promotes a more sustainable agricultural operation.

The Ugandan delegation is particularly focused on learning advanced methodologies in hygiene, treatment, and feeding techniques that can enhance their agricultural outputs. 

Furthermore, the Schippers Group announced its plans to enter the Ugandan market, offering innovative technologies that aim to improve product acceptability in European markets and enhance the quality of Ugandan agricultural products.

“This collaboration signifies an important step towards elevating Uganda's agricultural standards and addressing the critical issues related to livestock health and productivity. The integration of these modern techniques and products is anticipated to foster a sustainable future for farmers, while also enhancing Uganda’s reputation in the global agricultural landscape,” Johan said.