Photo Credit: Stephanie A. Pepi, USAID Albania   Mr. Cef Gjushi built a bordered fence around his farm, feeds his birds’ corn and other grains from special plastic feeding and watering containers, and regularly disinfects the area to reduce infections. These are just some of the bio-safety measures USAID promotes to reduce the risk of poultry diseases in Albania.

USAID, Bio-Safe Farms Reduce Risk of Avian Influenza

USAID, Bio-Safe Farms Reduce Risk of Avian Influenza

Lezha, December 18, 2008     On Monday, farmers from the village of Dajc took part in an exercise organized by the Albanian Council of Agribusiness (KASH) to support better bio-safety measures in poultry farms. The bio-safe farm, located near Lezha, is one of 20 model family farms established with the support of USAID’s avian influenza program, in cooperation with UNICEF and KASH. Four more farms will be established in the coming months.

The event took place at the farm of Mr. Cef Gjushi who volunteered to make adaptations to his current farm to demonstrate the low-cost, but effective ways farmers can meet bio-safety standards and protect their birds and families from disease.

Gjushi built a bordered fence around his farm, feeds his birds’ corn and other grains from special plastic feeding and watering containers, and regularly disinfects the area to reduce infections.

“Our approach is to give practical, hands-on assistance to farmers,” said KASH Executive Director, Mr. Zydi Teqja, at the demonstration exercise.  “This is why we’re helping farmers build model henhouses that follow all bio safety measure regarding not just AI (Avian Influenza) but all poultry diseases. KASH believes that the models will be adopted across Albania when farmers begin to understand that an investment in bio-safety measures is economically very effective.” 

The demonstration exercise is part of a larger campaign to help mitigate the risks associated with H1N5 virus and avian influenza by improving bio safety conditions in poultry farms through a comprehensive public information campaign and education program on the poultry family farm model. Through this program, 24 bio-safe farms will be established in each of the 12 high-risk districts for avian influenza in Albania.

The program also works in cooperation with the Regional Food and Agriculture departments in Lezhë, Tiranë, Durrës, Fier, Vlorë, Elbasan, Kavaje, Korcë, Kukës, Lushnje, Shkodra, and Sarande.

About USAID’s Avian Influenza Program:

Since 2006, USAID has awarded more than $850,000 to United Nations organizations, including the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), and the World Health Organization (WHO) to prevent the spread of the H5N1 virus in domestic poultry populations, limit its economic impact in Albania, and decrease the risk of its spread to humans.

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To view more photographs from Mr. Gjushi's Bio-Safe Farm, visit USAID Albania's Photo Gallery