Agro Preciso Trains Farmers on Improved Livestock Farming in Kogi

News in brief:

-Agro Preciso trained 67 farmers across Kogi State on improved poultry farming using the Sasso chicken breed.

-The initiative aims to strengthen food security, improve farmer incomes and expand adoption of resilient poultry genetics.

Agribusiness firm Agro Preciso Limited recently trained 67 farmers drawn from the 21 local government areas of Kogi State on improved livestock and poultry production techniques.

The training, organised in collaboration with Adva Feeds and the Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support Project, is part of ongoing efforts to strengthen food security and improve poultry farming practices in Nigeria.

The Managing Director of Agro Preciso, Nurudeen Lawal, disclosed this during the opening ceremony of the Sasso sensitisation and capacity building programme held in Lokoja at the weekend.

Partnership Drives Sasso Breed Adoption

Lawal explained that the initiative followed the recent signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between Agro Preciso and Hendrix Genetics, a global leader in animal genetics.

Under the agreement, Agro Preciso will serve as the sole Nigerian agent for the Sasso poultry breed developed by Hendrix Genetics.

According to him, the partnership is designed to promote the adoption of the Sasso breed nationwide, with Kogi State selected as the pilot location for the sensitisation and training programme.

Improved Breed Offers Productivity Advantages

Lawal described the Sasso bird as an improved dual-purpose poultry breed capable of producing both high-quality meat and eggs.

He noted that the breed is resilient and well-adapted to local environments, making it suitable for free-range production systems commonly used by small-scale farmers.

The training programme, he said, aims to equip farmers, extension workers and agribusiness stakeholders with the technical knowledge required to improve poultry production, strengthen the value chain and enhance economic opportunities within the sector.

Stakeholders Participate in Capacity Building Workshop

The workshop brought together key players in the poultry industry, including government officials, extension agents, poultry farmers and private sector stakeholders.

Participants were trained on best practices in poultry production, including brooding techniques, feeding management, disease prevention and general poultry husbandry.

Kogi Government Backs Improved Poultry Production

Speaking at the event, the Commissioner for Livestock Development in Kogi State, Olufemi Bolarinwa, said the introduction of improved poultry breeds such as Sasso presents an important opportunity to strengthen food security and increase farmers’ incomes.

He noted that capacity building programmes such as the training are essential for equipping farmers and agricultural extension workers with modern livestock management skills.

Bolarinwa added that the state government remains committed to supporting partnerships with development partners and private sector organisations to expand improved livestock production systems across the state.