"We are excited to support a project where Novus, our partner Globoaves and the Chad government are working together to establish a modern poultry production complex in their country," stated Luis Azevedo, Executive Director, Latin America, at Novus. "This example of South-South partnership is important for capacity building, helping to improve food security and the livelihood of the Chadians. This project may serve as a model for the development of industrial meat production in Africa."

The project dates to October 2010, when Novus President and CEO, Thad Simons, met with the Prime Minister of Chad during an agribusiness conference in Uganda. The Chad government attended a presentation of the programme of Family Poultry (PAF – programmea de Avicultura Familiar – www.paf.org.br) in Alagoas, a joint project by Globoaves and Novus. The prime minister expressed interest in having Globoaves and Novus as partners with their government on a food security national programme. Novus and Mr. Simons collaborated with Novus Africa to work with Globoaves in support of the programme.

In addition to Thad Simons, two other Novus employees were instrumental in the development of the agreement; Luis Azevedo, who managed the Brazilian involvement with Globoaves and Bayella Thiam, Executive Manager, Novus Africa, who was involved on the ground and dealt directly with the Chad government.

"Besides bringing poultry production to an industrial level in Africa, the idea is to build a complete poultry ecosystem from industrial to small scale, and from genetics to farm and to fork," commented Bayella Thiam. "We expect to bring this model to sub-Saharan countries that are looking to develop agribusiness, especially chicken and egg business."

Project Koundoul will be completed over a 24-month process, beginning 4th quarter 2012 through the end of 2014.

"The signing of the agreement for Project Koundoul represents the culmination of a lot of hard work by representatives of the Chad government, Globoaves and the Novus team," said Dan Meagher, President, Global Animal Nutrition Solutions, at Novus. "Novus is honored to support a project that will benefit all Chadians. We look forward to its success and to replicate this model in other countries as a means to feed the world affordable, wholesome food and achieve a higher quality of life."

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