Based in the Anseba region, Adal Poultry and Animal Husbandry Enterprise stands as one of the flagships in scalable agri-business, significantly contributing to the supply of eggs and milk to Asmara, Keren, and surrounding areas. Named after the iconic Adal mountains— which is the site where the first shot of the revolutionary struggle was fired on September 1, 1961—this enterprise embodies stories of resilience and far-sighted visions throughout its remarkable journey.
Tracing its roots back to the 1920s, when Ms. Fatna Mohammed Guangul began selling eggs in Asmara, Adal’s current status in poultry farming is a testament to generations of commitment. Following in her footsteps, Ms. Zemzem Musa Mohammed, the grandmother of the current General Manager (GM), Mr. Omer Yousuf, continued this family tradition.
Revitalizing poultry farming through enhanced initiatives
In 2001, Adal Poultry Enterprise embarked on a transformative journey within the agricultural sector. After acquiring 2,640 ‘Lohman’ chicks imported by ‘Double Harvest,’ Adal expanded its investment significantly by adding another 4,000 chicks. Then after, the poultry farm continued to be one of the most progressive and successful agricultural enterprises, and significantly contributed in the country’s eggs supply. With a facility capable of housing up to 18,000 chickens, the enterprise now boasts over 15,000 chicks. The company’s operation has created job opportunities for 48 permanent workers, while also benefiting numerous indirect stakeholders who apply their skills at various levels.
Navigating Inevitable Challenges and exploring solutions
In its over two-decade journey in poultry farming since Eritrea’s independence, Adal has encountered significant challenges. From 2004 to 2020, the frequent loss of a considerable number of chicks and shortage of poultry feed posed serious setbacks. This situation raised budgetary concerns. Fortunately, we managed to get poultry feed from some institutions and friends, and the Ministry of Agriculture provided us with chicks on loan basis. Then, Adal was able to establish a robust foundation, paving the way for improved outcomes and mitigating risks of financial distress or stagnation.
To meet the increasing demand for chick feed, Adal sought different methods to provide cost-effective, nutritious, and reliable food supplies. In 2011, after the thorough research into the essential components of enriched feed for chicken, the company began producing its own supplies under stringent regulatory standards. This shift resulted in significant savings on feed costs, allowing funds to be redirected toward enhancing other operational needs.
Alongside invaluable collaboration with local experts, Adal has also benefited from the expertise of seasoned professionals from India and the United States and Cuba. This also played a pivotal role in boosting the enterprise’s excellence factors, fostering a promising shift towards modernized poultry farming. With the conducive environment created by the Ministry of Agriculture, Mr. Omer Yousuf, the current GM of Adal, took the opportunity to visit Kenya, where he gleaned essential insights to enhance quality-focused husbandry practices.
Streaming the poultry farming and adding husbandry activities
In 2014, Adal redefined its agricultural practices by incorporating husbandry activities into its operations. Initially, the primary objective was to secure a steady supply of milk for both internal use and the needs of its employees. The journey began with the purchase of five dairy cattle from Mariam Dearit. The introduction of Artificial Insemination by the Ministry of Agriculture further enhanced Adal’s capabilities in dairy farming. Today, the company is diligently working to grow its herd, which now consists of around thirty dairy cattle. It is also to be noted that the company was awarded for its outstanding performance in milk production during the 2024-National Dairy Value-chain conference held in Asmara.
Business model, distribution channels and stakeholders
Adal’s business model focuses on direct sales to customers, effectively cutting out informal traders who often inflate prices. To facilitate this, the company operates two branches, in Keren and Asmara, both dedicated to delivering products straight to consumers.
This approach has allowed various government ministries, businesses, private entities, and the general public to benefit from Adal’s initiatives. Mr. Omer Yousuf highlights the company’s ongoing efforts to reduce the selling price of dairy products by developing integrated strategies that address rising production costs.
As part of Eritrea’s government initiatives aimed at boosting agricultural productivity, the support provided to startups and mid-sized farmers like Omer Yousuf from Adal is crucial. “The professional guidance received from the Ministry of Agriculture has been essential to Adal’s success. From Mr. Arefaine Berhe, the Minister, to all members of the Ministry, they have been invaluable mentors,” Omer explains, “Senior experts like Dr. Teklemariam, Mr. Zenawi and Mr. Tsegezeab as well as Ambassador Abdela Mussa, the Governor of Anseba Region, and other officials have also played significant roles in this journey.”
Final worlds
“Though poultry farming is a rewarding agricultural venture for agricultural devotees, it is also a domain that demands consistency, persistence and passionate love,” Omer concludes.
Public Relations Division
Extracted from ‘Fre-Tsaeri Magazine’ Number 4
Ministry of Agriculture