Feed labs need to step up in developing countries

This was concluded by a study conducted jointly by FAO and International Analytic Group (IAG) in Vienna, Austria, using data from a proficiency test conducted by these organisations.

A proficiency test for various constituents (proximate, macro- and micro-minerals, additives and amino acids) was conducted in which laboratories from Europe (40) and developing countries (73) participated. The data obtained allowed a comparison of the performance of these two sets of laboratories. Higher standard deviation and several folds higher coefficient of variation were obtained for the developing country laboratories. For developing country feed analysis laboratories the coefficients of variation for chemical composition parameters, macro-minerals and amino acids were higher by up to 9-fold, 14-fold, and 10-fold respectively, compared with those for European feed analysis laboratories. Also higher number of outliers were observed for developing countries (7.6-8.7% vs. 2.9-3.0%).

Unable to evaluate the quality

According to Harinder Makkar of FAO who coordinated this study: “The results illustrate higher need for developing country feed analysis laboratories to improve the quality of data being generated.” Mr Makkar further stated that without a robust quality control system, the laboratory personnel are unable to evaluate the quality of the results being generated. Developing countries need to address this issue seriously because it could adversely impact their export and increase wastage of feed and food items for not meeting the quality and safety standards. Also generation of sound data is fundamental to implementation of nutritional principles and for getting benefits from them. Unbalanced feeding results in lower profit to farmers, production below the genetic potential of animals, reproductive problems for example longer age of first calving and longer calving interval, animal being more prone to metabolic diseases such as milk fever and ketosis, shorter productive life, poor animal health and welfare, and excessive amounts of pollutants released to the environment.

Development of training programmes

Some of the possible ways to improve the situation are that governments consider increasing investment for improving laboratory infrastructure and laboratory proficiency. Development of sound training programmes and their effective execution is warranted. Higher donors’ attention to this issue and provision of greater funds for developing capacity of laboratory personnel are needed. Many functional laboratories can improve the quality of the data without much investment. A culture of generating quality data needs to be practiced through a change of mindset. This can be achieved by integrating quality control systems and following good laboratory practices. FAO has taken a number of steps in this direction: produced various manuals on quality control systems in feed analysis laboratories, distributed them at no-cost and made them available on FAO website for free downloading; arranged on-line courses on risk management and quality control enhancement; and organized proficiency tests. FAO has also been providing relevant educational support to the laboratories through its network of experts. However, these efforts need to be translated into a movement within countries by formulating government policies, for example setting up of a body overseeing quality of data being generated by laboratories and the laboratory operations; and by supporting laboratories through investments and capacity development. The efforts of International organizations will only be catalytic towards furthering a culture of generation of quality data. Large impact can only be generated by government actions and policies, including promoting public-private partnerships.

Source: FAO