Impex Watering Solutions is promoting improved drinking-water systems aimed at helping poultry farmers enhance animal health, hygiene and production performance.
The Dutch company, specialises in drinking nipples and drinking-water systems for poultry, pigs and other livestock.
Speaking during VIV Africa 2026 in Kigali, Rwanda, Impex Managing Director Richard Wentzel said the company is particularly focused on helping poultry farmers move from open water sources to simple, hygienic and eventually fully closed drinking systems.
“We are specialised in drinking systems for poultry,” Wentzel said, noting that many farmers in Africa still rely on backyard and small-scale production systems where open containers are commonly used to provide water to birds.
He said Impex is encouraging farmers to upgrade gradually rather than expecting them to immediately invest in fully automated drinking systems.
“One step can first be, not a complete automatic drinking system, but go to a bucket,” Wentzel said, referring to simple closed water systems fitted with nipples underneath. “That’s the first step to go into better hygiene for your animals. So, less mortality.”
According to Wentzel, the problem with open drinking water is that it can easily become contaminated with manure, exposing birds to unhygienic water.
“Open water—they put manure in it, and they drink their own manure,” he said. “We always say this: would you drink this water?”
The company believes that even relatively simple solutions can help farmers improve water hygiene without requiring sophisticated technical skills.
According to the managing director, the bucket systems can be filled manually, making them accessible to farmers who may not yet be ready for automated installations.
The ultimate objective, he said, is to help farmers progress towards closed drinking systems that provide cleaner and more controlled water supplies while reducing water wastage and supporting better poultry performance. He says clean, controlled drinking water is important for animal health, efficiency and production results.
Wentzel also emphasised that Impex’s presence at VIV Africa is not simply about selling equipment. The company is attending the event for the fourth time, with a focus on building long-term relationships, educating farmers and identifying local dealers and partners.
“We want to meet people, to educate people, to get relations with our company,” he said. “We want a long-term relationship with our customers. We’re looking for dealers.”
For Wentzel, the message to poultry farmers is that water quality should receive the same attention as other aspects of production.
“When you, as a farmer, walk into your house, you have to think about the water I’m giving,” he said. “The water I’m giving to my poultry, would I drink it myself?”
He added that providing safe drinking water ultimately matters not only for poultry health and performance but also because poultry products are consumed by people.
Impex has developed drinking-water solutions since 1971 and describes clean drinking water as central to animal health and performance.
