On December 1, the Co-creation Workshop on Solutions to Promote Biosecurity in Small-scale Poultry Production was held at the Agricultural and Livestock Service (SAG) regional office in the city of Arica, as part of a project promoted by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) to reduce health risks arising from interactions among people, animals, and the environment.
The initiative aims to strengthen the prevention of diseases that affect both poultry production and public health, support small producers in adopting better practices, and promote more resilient production systems in the face of today’s environmental challenges.
In Latin America, Chile was selected to implement this global initiative, focusing on improving early detection of health risks, strengthening coordination among stakeholders, and promoting biosecurity measures in line with local realities, especially in small-scale farming.
Carolina Larraín, head of Poultry Health at ChileCarne, spoke on the importance of biosecurity in poultry production and addressed the scope of the Wetlands Program before an audience of small- and large-scale producers, sector authorities, and representatives from government agencies.
The workshop’s main objectives were to identify barriers to adopting biosecurity practices in small-scale poultry production, co-create solutions to address them, empower local actors, and strengthen public-private partnerships to control avian diseases. Similarly, the meeting contributed to developing SAG’s capabilities in northern Chile.
The event brought together representatives from FAO Chile, SAG, the Agricultural Development Institute (INDAP), the Municipality of Arica, local companies, and ChileCarne. Through presentations and participatory sessions, attendees identified key measures to strengthen biosecurity in small-scale poultry farming, emphasizing the importance of prevention and collaboration.
Initiatives like this workshop underscore the importance of prevention and joint work between the public sector, small farmers, and industry, especially in territories with specific health challenges, such as Chile’s northern macrozone. Strengthening poultry biosecurity through collaboration is key to protecting animal health, safeguarding local production, and contributing to the country’s food security.
