Scoping opportunities for improving bio-security in commercial poultry in Indonesia

Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) is now endemic in 31 of the 33 Indonesian provinces and is responsible for more than 100 human deaths. While the Indonesian Government is initiating significant control programs with regulatory support, it is believed that unless there is community ownership of control; through improved biosecurity on both the farm and the community, HPAI and other poultry diseases will continue to reduce profitability, increase poverty and cause human mortalities.
This scoping study aimed to;
Provide a definition and overview of the non-integrated commercial poultry sector
Identify the main factors influencing the economic and social sustainability of the non-integrated commercial poultry sector.
Provide an overview of research needs for this non-integrated commercial poultry sector, with particular reference to appropriate technologies and management practices that could be implemented to improve biosecurity.
Identify the key private and public stakeholders involved in the research and technology adoption process.
Evaluate the possibility of a research delivery approach that includes all poultry industry stakeholders.

The project team visited Indonesia from September 2 to 16 2007 to consult with stakeholders. This scoping study resulted in the drafting of a project proposal which was presented to ACIAR at the conclusion of the field visit. Results of the ACIAR in-house review and comments from Indonesian partners resulted in team member Dr Ian Patrick returning to Indonesia for further consultation and presentation of a project plan. A Phase II proposal was completed and submitted to ACIAR in January 2008. The key elements of the proposed project are;
A whole of industry approach. For HPAI control there needs to be an economic imperative for the private sector and the farmers to invest in biosecurity. This project will place a special and unique emphasis on integrating the project into the private sector. Successful adoption of least-cost biosecurity measures in the NICPS depends on the support and input of the entire poultry industry.
A community approach will be used to implement project outcomes in three case-study areas. The project will not just provide policy advice and recommendations but will learn about adoption successes and failures through actual within-community adoption. The project will target three locations (one each in Bali, South Sulawesi and West Java).
A whole market-chain approach will ensure that the adoption of cost-effective biosecurity measures is appropriate, given the cultural and institutional characteristics of the poultry market. The project will work with all stakeholders in the industry to define and implement improvements to particular institutional constraints such as post farm-gate marketing systems.