The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Mohammad Mahmood Abubakar has encouraged prospective poultry farmers in Abia State to acquire formal training and skills in order to be better equipped before venturing into poultry business.
Represented by the Engr. Victor Ihediwa, Director, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, (FMARD) in Abia State, during an empowerment/enablement programme, stated that training and acquisition of necessary skills will enable them to avoid huge losses
His words, “Poultry is an important component in the livestock subsector with great economic potentials, nutritional benefits, gender friendly and demand driven. However, over the years there has been a wide gap between demand and supply of poultry products as the production of poultry products falls far short of its demand.
“However, poultry is the most commercialized component of the livestock subsector contributing over 25 percent of the agricultural Gross domestic product.
“Despite the socioeconomic returns in poultry business, it is yet to be fully harnessed. There is still opportunity to modify or try something new along the chain with the right information and advocacy. Many farmers that ventured into poultry business without acquiring formal training or skills would end up their businesses due to huge losses they encountered. The wise thing to do is to undertake trainings, skills and get it right.
Speaking also, the member representing Isiala Ngwa North and South Federal constituency at the House of Representatives, Hon. Darlington Nwokocha represented by Hon Sunny Maduako, said the aim of the training was to empower unemployed youths and women and make them independent and employers of labour, which in turn will ensure food security in the constituency and the country.
A resource person, Mrs Vivian Ibe from the Animal husbandry services, FMARD took the participants through a process of bird vaccination, water and feeding techniques and how to change wet litters to maintain good hygiene in poultry farm.
Each of the trainees from Obuba community got two weeks old Noiler birds; 2 (50kg) bags of Noiler feed; 1 sachet of Divertamin; 1 cage; drinkers and feeders at the end of the training. While the trainees from Amaku Community got two weeks old broiler birds, 2 (50kg) bags of feed; 1 cage; drinkers and feeders.
The participants at the event commended the Federal Government and member representing Isiala Ngwa North and South Federal Constituency, Rt. Hon. Darlington Nwokocha for the exercise, which they said have turned their lives around for good.
The training which was carried out for two communities: Obuba and Amaku communities (50 in each group) was carried out by the Federal Government through the Department of Agricultural Extension, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, FMARD in collaboration with the member representing Isiala Ngwa North and South Federal Constituency, Hon. Darlington Nwokocha.
Uche Nwosu is a two time Shell Petroleum PLC award winner in the year 2000;
He won the Shell Award on Investigative Journalism and Environmental Cleanliness.
