It’s already 2023, which means many food and hospitality businesses have only a few more years to meet their cage-free egg commitment deadlines in Asia. Leading corporations, including Unilever, Nestle and Marriott, are committed to sourcing only cage-free eggs by 2025, and many have already begun to make the switch.

To prepare for this growing demand, producers across Asia have begun to produce cage-free eggs. Adopting cage-free production methods involves a significant learning process, and by starting now, producers can optimise their production over time, leading up to 2025.

Global Food Partners (GFP), has partnered with prestigious universities, including Aeres University of Applied Sciences (Netherlands), Universitas Gadjah Mada (Indonesia), and Tokai University (Japan), to create a solution to help egg producers prepare. Their online academy offers e-learning courses in various Asian languages to teach farmers the basics of cage-free egg production and how to improve flock health and management practices.

According to Dr. Kate Hartcher, Senior Animal Scientist at Global Food Partners, recent research has shown a need for more training and technical support in cage-free production for egg producers in Asia. The courses have been instrumental for existing cage-free producers, those planning or beginning to transition, and other industry stakeholders like veterinarians, academics and auditors.

Dr. Jasper Heerkens, researcher and lecturer in poultry at Aeres University of Applied Sciences in the Netherlands, noted that GFP and Aeres were able to bring together decades of experience working with poultry industries across the world to create impactful courses.

Below are some learner testimonials:

“The online course has provided useful materials for beginners in the egg production business. It highlights specific ways to address the challenges to attain animal welfare and sustainability. The combination of audiovisual presentations and tests for every module has provided higher retention in learning. It is easy to understand, and can be promoted to those interested to start their own layer farm and to existing layer farmers as well.”

Judit Alday-Mangmang, Business Development Manager, Batangas Egg Producers Multipurpose Cooperative (Philippines)

“The online course is interesting and well organised. It covers topics including the concept of cage-free production, flock health, and management practices. It gives an overview of how to manage and care for birds to ensure good welfare. The evaluation questions are helpful in keeping me focused. I would recommend the online course to my peers and students that are interested in learning about the cage-free system. Well done!”

Associate Professor Doctor Henny Akit, Head of Department of Animal Science, University Putra Malaysia (Malaysia)

You can register for the courses at academy.globalfoodpartners.com.