Tajikistan advances poultry farm biosecurity to safeguard food security and public health

The training aimed to strengthen the capacity of poultry producers, veterinarians, and field officers to implement effective biosecurity measures and ensure sustainable, safe, and resilient poultry production systems.

The poultry sector represents a key pillar of food security, rural livelihoods, and economic growth in Tajikistan. Over the past decade, considerable investments have modernized production facilities and expanded poultry farming, allowing the country to better meet domestic demand for animal protein. 

However, the rapid growth of the sector has underscored the urgent need for robust biosecurity systems to prevent infectious and zoonotic diseases such as Avian Influenza, Newcastle Disease, Infectious Bronchitis, Gumboro Disease, Adenovirus infections, and Salmonellosis. These diseases pose significant risks not only to animal health and the national economy, but also to public health and regional biosecurity.

Combining theoretical sessions with practical field exercises, the training offered participants hands-on experience in assessing and applying biosecurity protocols. Key modules covered biosecurity principles, farm zoning and traffic control, personnel hygiene, farm design, cleaning and disinfection procedures, vaccination programmes, and responsible antimicrobial use to address the growing challenge of antimicrobial resistance (AMR).

“Enhancing biosecurity practices on poultry farms is vital for safeguarding animal health, securing the food supply, and minimizing the spread of diseases that can transfer from animals to humans,” said Aghasi Harutyunyan, FAO Representative a.i. in Tajikistan. “This training plays a key role in developing robust and sustainable poultry systems that support health security at both national and regional levels, in line with the One Health approach.”

The first day of the training focused on theoretical aspects, including the sources and routes of infection, hygiene protocols, farm design, and operational biosecurity measures. The second day featureed practical field visits to local poultry farms, where participants observed and evaluated real-world practices related to cleaning, disinfection, vaccination, cold-chain management, and risk assessment.

This activity forms part of FAO’s broader commitment to strengthening pandemic preparedness and response in Tajikistan and across Central Asia through integrated, multisectoral approaches that address the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health within the One Health framework.