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The Africa pig international congress 2024 was a highly successful novel congress held in the nation of Ghana at ISSER Conference Hall of the university of Ghana, Legon, Accra with the theme: The evolutionary journey of Africa's pig industry. The congress brought together over 160 onsite participants from 8 African countries, over 1,000 virtual Youtube streams from diverse nations and 15 international speakers and panellists from Spain, Germany, Romania, France, Tanzania, Nigeria, Ghana and south Africa.
The congress began with Welcome addresses by Mr Kwame Appiah, the national president of the pig farmers Association of Ghana (PFAG), and Olasupo S. Ayobami, Managing director of Agrobreeders Nigeria/Brand Manager of 333 Africa. The first presentation titled "Current statistics of pig production in the world" was given by Javier Lorente Martin (Technical director of 333 Academy) after which Olasupo S. Ayobami gave the second presentation on "The evolutionary journey of Africa's pig industry". The first panel discussion was centered on "The impact of religion and culture on Africa's pig industry" where Dr Albert Schutte (Technical manager, PIC South Africa), Prof. AOK. Adesehinwa (National president, Pig farmers Association of Nigeria (PFAN)), Mr Bright Manye (Deputy Director Animal production Directorate of Ghana Ministry of Food and Agriculture) and Mr Tomi Olatunde (Technical and commercial manager, Axiom Genetics) sat as panellists. Olasupo S. Ayobami moderated the panel session.
The second plenary session opened with a presentation by Tomi Olatunde (Commercial and Technical Manager at Axiom Genetics) discussing the current state and future prospects of the pig and pork market in Africa. This was followed by Samantha van der Westhuizen (Data Analyst, PIC RSA), and Sarah Chirwa (Technical Advisor, PIC RSA), who delivered a presentation titled "The Importance of Superior Genetics in Advancing Africa's Pig Industry". The third presentation, led by José Carlos Muniz (Technical and Sales Manager at Exafan), focused on "Modern Climate Control Systems: Ensuring Optimal Conditions for Pig Farms in Tropical Africa". The session concluded with a presentation by Engr. Marcio Schmidt (CEO of Temu Technology), on "Revolutionizing Africa’s Pig Industry through the Adoption of Emerging Swine Technologies". The first day of the congress wrapped up with an interactive question-and-answer session.
The second day of the congress began with an important presentation by Javier Lorente on "Sow management systems" and the second presentation was delivered by Dr Emmanuel from the Ghana verterinary servion "African swine fever: Management and mitigation of Transboundary spread in Africa" after which a question and answer session held for the two presentations. An interactive panel session on "Accessing consistent and profitable market for smallholder pig farmers in Africa" was moderated by Dr Azory Mbuma (General secretary of the Tanzania pig farmers association). The panellists were Mr Maxwell Hammond (Vice president, pig farmers association of Ghana(PFAG)), Mr Ambrose Dibare (Regional leader, Ashanti region of PFAG), and Dr Adjorlolo (University of Ghana).
The concluding session of the congress was the pre-launch program of 333 Africa, which was anchored by Javier Lorente and Olasupo S. Ayobami. During the pre-launch program, 333 website was introduced to African pig producers, the diverse essential tools on the website were also explained as well as the capacity building opportunities that awaits all African swine producers on the launch of 333 Africa website in January. APICON2024 planning committee also gave a congratulatory plank to 333.
The congress was brought to a close with Award presentations to Mr Kwame Appiah (PFAG President), Axiom genetics PIC South Africa, Exafan, and Temu Technology and closing remarks was delivered by Mr Kwame Appiah, Prof. Adesehinwa, and Olasupo S. Ayobami.
