Vitarich and Novogen collaborated to boost egg production in the Philippines

Vitarich, one of the Philippines' most established names in poultry and animal feed production, has announced an exciting new chapter in local agriculture.

The company has entered an exclusive distribution partnership with NOVOGEN, a French breeding firm renowned for its work in layer genetics, bringing the NOVOgen WHITE breed to Filipino farmers for the very first time.

The announcement was made at a well-attended launch event held at the Clark Marriott Hotel, drawing around 250 guests ranging from farm partners and distributors to government representatives and media. The mood was optimistic, and rightly so.

VITA CEO Rocco Sarmiento, said, "This aligns with our commitment to improve the country's food security and livelihood opportunities by introducing superior genetics with excellent productivity and quality. Farmers are increasingly looking to trusted sources to help them increase production and incomes. With NOVOgen WHITE, we can deliver better value to farmers and stakeholders in the food industry including end consumers."

He went further, pointing to the broader significance of what the two companies are doing together. "What truly goes into producing a high-quality egg — one that is nutritious, affordable, and sustainably farmed? The answer lies not only in the care farmers provide but also in two critical factors: superior poultry genetics and optimal nutrition. Today, VITA and NOVOGEN are bringing these two elements together, ensuring that Filipino egg producers have access to world-class solutions that enhance productivity and profitability. This partnership also signifies an important step in international cooperation. The exchange of technology and expertise between France and the Philippines represents the kind of global synergy that leads to long-term economic growth and innovation."

NOVOGEN CEO Mickael Le Helloco, said, "Innovation has been in NOVOGEN DNA from the beginning. We use various tools to select and improve the products generation after generation: mix of traditional and innovative environments, genomic, RFID technology, and artificial intelligence. Thanks to the implementation of these tools in research and development, we have been able to speed up the yearly genetic progress by 2.5 times compared to the yearly progress observed 10 years ago. Today, NOVOGEN products are sold in more than 50 countries and sales is increasing every year at the global level and especially in Asia. To serve the local market and to succeed, we need a strong distributor, working closely with NOVOGEN team and if possible, with the same DNA: market knowledge, field oriented, feed expert, quality oriented, support and services. NOVOGEN had the chance to meet VITA a few years ago, and in few years, our teams have become closer by sharing the same values. This is just the first step for a long common story together."

So what makes the NOVOgen WHITE breed stand out? These hens are capable of laying up to 470 eggs per cycle across 100 or more weeks, all whilst consuming less feed per egg than competing breeds. Their eggshells are notably strong and consistent, and perhaps most importantly for the Philippine context, they adapt well to tropical climates without compromising output.

Farmers who come on board can also expect hands-on support covering housing, nutrition, laboratory testing, and general business management. It is a thorough package designed to give producers the best possible start.