Earlier this month, the AVI Africa 2025 conference brought together government officials, producers, veterinarians, global experts, and suppliers for a pivotal moment in South Africa’s poultry and animal health landscape. With over 2,000 attendees and a packed schedule of talks, panels, and exhibitions, the event revealed both the scale of the challenges facing the sector and the genuine appetite for progress.
Gordon Samet, Livetec Group Managing Director said, “At Livetec, we are committed to driving innovation and transforming the agricultural landscape through digital solutions. Our presence at AVI Africa 2025 was a natural extension of our mission to support the poultry and animal health sectors with cutting-edge technologies. As leaders in biosecurity and traceability solutions, we were there to engage with key stakeholders and showcase how our solutions like the Livestock Protect platform – can help tackle the challenges facing South Africa’s poultry industry. From improving biosecurity measures to enhancing farm data accessibility and streamlining traceability, Livetec is dedicated to helping producers transition from fragmented, paper-based systems to scalable, digital infrastructures. Our goal is to support the industry in building resilience, ensuring compliance, and unlocking new opportunities for growth in an increasingly interconnected world.”
A Nation Facing Pressing Animal Health Challenges
The spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) was unsurprisingly front and centre. The South African government confirmed a national vaccination programme will begin in June 2025, but the scale and complexity of implementation are significant. Surveillance, traceability, and compliance all depend on systems that, at present, remain largely paper-based and fragmented.
This became a recurring theme throughout the conference. Despite strong local veterinary knowledge and a determined industry, many farms and institutions still rely on manual processes, and there’s a lack of coordination between data systems. It’s a reality that slows outbreak response, limits disease monitoring, and hampers trade.
Key Takeaways from the Event
- HPAI is no longer just a poultry problem
The virus has been detected in mammals and is beginning to blur the lines between livestock, wildlife, and human health. Controlling its spread will require coordination across multiple sectors, with a renewed emphasis on preparedness. - Biosecurity is a behaviour, not a checklist
There was wide acknowledgment that strong protocols must be embedded in daily routines, not just written in manuals. Speakers stressed the need for both infrastructure and mindset change to strengthen on-farm resilience. - Traceability is critical for trade
Export talks made clear that South African producers seeking access to international markets, such as the UK must be able to demonstrate end-to-end traceability, rapid disease response, and standardised documentation. - The current system is not built for scale
Many speakers pointed to the heavy administrative burden placed on producers, with some still needing to physically deliver paperwork over long distances. This isn’t just inefficient, it actively undermines biosecurity efforts. - The path to vaccination is still unclear
While vaccination was positioned as a step forward, questions remain around surveillance requirements, market impacts, and how to address unintended consequences, such as restrictions on live bird sales, which support many communities. - The ‘New Era Farmer’ needs support
Government programmes have introduced land reform and smallholder empowerment initiatives, but the high failure rate (estimated above 90%) underscores the need for training, infrastructure, and long-term market access.
A Sector Ripe for Innovation
Perhaps the most striking insight from AVI Africa was not the absence of capability, but the lack of alignment. Stakeholders across the board, government, industry bodies, producers expressed a desire to improve systems, streamline operations, and reduce disease risk. But to do so effectively, there must be a shift in mindset: from fragmented responses to coordinated strategies, from paper-based systems to digital infrastructure.
Technology alone won’t solve the challenges facing the South African poultry sector. But it’s clear that practical, local, and scalable solutions, supported by education and policy, will be essential in moving the industry forward.
Looking Ahead
AVI Africa 2025 revealed a sector full of potential, but under pressure. For South Africa to thrive in an increasingly connected and regulated global market, a shift toward stronger biosecurity, improved traceability, and broader collaboration is not optional, it’s urgent.
The conversations begun at AVI Africa must continue. They represent a shared commitment to strengthening food security, protecting livelihoods, and building a more resilient, inclusive agricultural future.
Ready to Future-Proof Your Poultry Operation?
Get ahead of the game, book your Livestock Protect demo today and see how digital innovation can transform your biosecurity, traceability, and compliance efforts. Book here.
