Animal feed factory re-opens under new management

Animal feed factory re-opens under new management

24-October-2013
Herve cutting the ribbon to officially open the factoryFerox Feed is the new name of the Bois de Rose animal feed factory which re-opened yesterday at the same venue under new management.
The opening was done by the special advisor in the Ministry of Natural Resources, Antoine Marie Moustache, who said the factory is offering a new opportunity for the livestock sector to go forward.

“There was a time when there was no local source for animal feed but there were always those who persevere to bring it back. So I consider it very honorable on the part of the new management to offer a new factory of such feed to the local farming community,” said Mr Moustache.

He noted that the livestock sector not only produces meat and eggs but is also a very important means of providing the much-needed manure to the agricultural sector.

“There was a time when farmers were seriously thinking of importing manure for their farm produce. And as we all know there are lots of problems attached to that,” said Mr Moustache.

“There was no reliable source of supplies for animal feed and today I thank the owners of Ferox Feed for their conviction in this sector,” said Mr Moustache.

The new animal feed factory is owned by Neville and Martha Adeline and it was one of their sons Herve who cut the ribbon to officially declare the factory open.

Speaking on behalf of Neville and Martha, Rose-Marie Hoareau, who is a longtime friend of the family, pointed out that it was hard work, sheer dedication and commitment on behalf of the Adeline family to have the factory re-opened.

She added that the transformation from how it was and how it stands today is simply beyond belief.

“It all started with Neville winning the bid for this property – its machinery and equipment. Damaged and broken machinery have been repaired, rusty equipment have been fixed and greased; leaking roofs have been exchanged for new ones. What prompted him to venture into such a business was the need he saw for farmers to have quality, fresh and affordable feed for their livestock,” she said.
“What better to have a Seychellois take on this project and to deliver fresh and quality animal feed at affordable prices,” she said.

“The aim of Ferox Feed is to provide excellent products to its clients and it will strive for a service to the farming community that is second to none in the country,” said Mrs Hoareau of the new management.

Products already on sale at the factory are chicken starter, poultry grower, layer feed, broiler starter, broiler finisher, pig starter, pig grower, sow meal, lactating sow, calf grower, goat feed, dairy meal in 45 and 50kg bags.

http://www.nation.sc/article.html?id=239522

Animal feed gone scarce once more

In the past, farmers have frequently complained of unavailability of animal feed on the local market, resulting in a drop in livestock and meat production.

To remedy the situation, the Seychelles government had some years back made available the Animal Feed Factory on Bois de Rose Avenue to farmers through the Seychelles Farmers Marketing Cooperative. When the move also proved to be unproductive, the factory was privatised and taken over by a company named ‘Ferox feed’.

In the mean time, at least three other local companies had joined the animal feed business, one in local production and the two others importing mainly from Mauritius. Animal feed distribution had seemed to improve then as no complaints were voiced in this regard.

The situation however seems to have deteriorated again as the Seychelles Farmers’ Association (SeyFA) has expressed deep concern over the present level of animal feed supplies in the country.

A communiqué from the association released this week states that the country currently faces a situation where there are no animal feed supplies and that the supply flow has recently not been consistent and not up to standard.

This, it says, has resulted in serious consequences on livestock production with some farmers even losing stock.
Contacted by Seychelles NATION, SeyFa’s vice-chairman Armand Michaud has confirmed the alarming situation:

“The situation has been prevailing for more than one week. The two importers, ‘Mahe Distributors’ and ‘Meaders’ have been out of stock due to a stop in supply caused by a cyclone in Mauritius. As for the two local producers, we have been informed that Cyril Roucou is only producing for the consumption of his own farm while only some food types are available at ‘Ferox Feed’, due to a lack of maize which is used as raw material,” he said.

With the next consignment from Mauritius only expected to arrive on Thursday next week (February 12), farmers feel that they will have to wait for too long.
They add that the situation is forcing them to change their feeding patterns which include switching to other food sources.

Mr Michaud insists that this is not good for the animal’s growth and health as they are raised for meat production.
As solution, the farmers’ association proposes that importers organise themselves to have sufficient stock in case of drop in supply.

SeyFa hopes that serious steps are taken by all parties concerned to address the problem as soon as possible, so that farmers can continue with their production.

According to the association, Seychelles is presently producing only 17% of meet needed for the country’s consumption.

http://www.nation.sc/article.html?id=244418