Farm expert opinion: Why turkeys are rare
Sep 06, 2011
Before Sabena Airlines went out of business in 2002, (to become SN Brussels) commercial turkey farming in Uganda and neighbouring countries was growing slowly but steadily.
Before Sabena Airlines went out of business in 2002, (to become SN Brussels) commercial turkey farming in Uganda and neighbouring countries was growing slowly but steadily.
Most of the exotic stock was being imported from Agriconcern, a Belgium based turkey breedig company. Unlike other poultry birds, the demand for turkeys was seasonal, mainly during festive days and the importation had to be done on individual basis.
Sabena Airlines’ going out of business had a drastic effect on turkey importers, including myself, since we were getting our stock from Brussels.
Several farmers tried to import parent stock from breeding companies in other parts of Europe, but the cost was prohibitive yet the demand for turkeys on the local market was still very low and erratic.
Besides, turkeys require particular conditions which are different from those for other poultry birds. First of all, turkeys need a lot of space by virtual of their size.
The specifics for breeding and incubating turkeys are also quite different and yet the demand for turkeys is relatively low. The few turkey farmers soon realised it was not worth investing in turkey business.
Cost implication involved
The minimum number of birds that could be economically imported as parent stock was 1,000.
Once the parent stock started laying eggs, the breeder would have to hatch about 3,000 young turkeys every week, with no ready market to absorb them.
The cost of importing parent stock did not necessarily change according to the numbers involved.
Besides, importing a lot of turkeys as parent stock was very risky as the breeder could get stuck with the surplus and this could easily force one out of business. This was the biggest bottle neck to the development of the turkey business in the country, besides the prohibitive cost of importing them.
Way forward for turkey industry
There is a need to register all farmers who are interested in turkey farming. This will help guide breeders to decide how much resources they should commit to this venture. Aspiring turkey farmers should also undergo training in the basics of turkey rearing, as a way of preparing them.
Experience shows that many tried to rear turkey without bothering to get the most basic knowledge and within a short time many of them suffered big losses.
Another option would be to import turkeys from neighboring countries like Kenya, that is if the importers are sure about the demand on the local market. Farmers who are interested in rearing turkeys should be encouraged to take it up, but strictly after undergoing training.
From experience, many people who tried to invest in turkey farming abandoned the enterprise due to lack of knowledge. Farmers need to learn how to manage, and keep the business flourishing despite the numerous challenges. In other words, they have to be trained in the basics of turkey management.
Through an umbrella organisation, aspiring turkey farmers should get together and establish how many turkeys a beginning farmer can manage and sell in a particular period. From that position, interested turkey farmers can then work backwards in terms of the size of parent stock required.
With the current developments in the hotel and catering industry, the demand for turkey is likely to grow. But for now there is a need to cut our coat according to the size of our cloth.
Otherwise the demand for turkey is likely to remain cosmetic.
The writer is the director, AGRICONCERN LTD
Most of the exotic stock was being imported from Agriconcern, a Belgium based turkey breedig company. Unlike other poultry birds, the demand for turkeys was seasonal, mainly during festive days and the importation had to be done on individual basis.
Sabena Airlines’ going out of business had a drastic effect on turkey importers, including myself, since we were getting our stock from Brussels.
Several farmers tried to import parent stock from breeding companies in other parts of Europe, but the cost was prohibitive yet the demand for turkeys on the local market was still very low and erratic.
Besides, turkeys require particular conditions which are different from those for other poultry birds. First of all, turkeys need a lot of space by virtual of their size.
The specifics for breeding and incubating turkeys are also quite different and yet the demand for turkeys is relatively low. The few turkey farmers soon realised it was not worth investing in turkey business.
Cost implication involved
The minimum number of birds that could be economically imported as parent stock was 1,000.
Once the parent stock started laying eggs, the breeder would have to hatch about 3,000 young turkeys every week, with no ready market to absorb them.
The cost of importing parent stock did not necessarily change according to the numbers involved.
Besides, importing a lot of turkeys as parent stock was very risky as the breeder could get stuck with the surplus and this could easily force one out of business. This was the biggest bottle neck to the development of the turkey business in the country, besides the prohibitive cost of importing them.
Way forward for turkey industry
There is a need to register all farmers who are interested in turkey farming. This will help guide breeders to decide how much resources they should commit to this venture. Aspiring turkey farmers should also undergo training in the basics of turkey rearing, as a way of preparing them.
Experience shows that many tried to rear turkey without bothering to get the most basic knowledge and within a short time many of them suffered big losses.
Another option would be to import turkeys from neighboring countries like Kenya, that is if the importers are sure about the demand on the local market. Farmers who are interested in rearing turkeys should be encouraged to take it up, but strictly after undergoing training.
From experience, many people who tried to invest in turkey farming abandoned the enterprise due to lack of knowledge. Farmers need to learn how to manage, and keep the business flourishing despite the numerous challenges. In other words, they have to be trained in the basics of turkey management.
Through an umbrella organisation, aspiring turkey farmers should get together and establish how many turkeys a beginning farmer can manage and sell in a particular period. From that position, interested turkey farmers can then work backwards in terms of the size of parent stock required.
With the current developments in the hotel and catering industry, the demand for turkey is likely to grow. But for now there is a need to cut our coat according to the size of our cloth.
Otherwise the demand for turkey is likely to remain cosmetic.
The writer is the director, AGRICONCERN LTD