Experts, Stakeholders Push for Adoption of Best Practices in Poultry Farming in Anambra

By Praise Chinecherem

Stakeholders and experts have called for adoption of best management practices to overcome challenges, enhance productivity and profitability in poultry farming.

They made the call at a One Day Annual Farmers Forum held at Emmaus House Complex, Awka.

The forum which was organised by Jofez Agro in partnership with New Hope Agric Tech Nig Ltd, aimed at creating a safe and sustainable environment for maximizing benefits in poultry.

Speaking on the theme of forum “Precision Poultry Production: The Profitability Pathway” the CEO, Jofez Agro Ltd, Joshua Ifezue, said the forum was staged to get the reception of right knowledge, updates and modern trends by farmers.

“We intend to equip farmers with the right knowledge because anything you are doing even if you have the capital, without the right knowledge, you are going to burn the capital in poultry business.

“So, our aim is to bring farmers together, have fun and at the same time gain valuable knowledge.

“This programme has helped us to increase the number of farmers who trust us, every year we keep expanding. This year we opened new branches and next year we are working on additional two branches. So i think the programme is yielding results”

Ifezue, who made a presentation on proper Litter Management, underscored the importance of avoiding poor litter practices to ensure effective disease control in farms.

In another presentation on common poultry diseases and their prevention, Dr Frank Kolawole, New Hope Agric Tech, implored the farmers to ensure good biosecurity and develop practices that could protect their birds from contracting diseases.

While urging for prompt report of sick birds to a veterinarian, he identified common poultry diseases to include fowl cholera, newcastle disease, marek’s disease and avian influenza.

Kolawole, said the Firm was collaborating with Jofez Agro and stakeholders to promote sustainability, value addition and best management practices in the sector.

“We decided to collaborate with Jofez Agro to have our farmers around and also tell them the essential benefits of New Hope Feeds.

“We also intend to ensure that the farmer is aware of the benefits and quantity of feed they need to use before they go into production of poultry.

“70 percent of their cost is on feeds, so teaching and ensuring that they are able to calculate and able to get the best profit whenever they invest in a particular production line”

Other experts who delivered lectures during the event including Dr James Wageti, Head Technical Team, Adamore Nig Ltd, Oginga Emagboron, Deputy General Manager Chifarms Ltd and Hongfa Xian, proffered solutions to some of the most pressing challenges facing the sector.

They made useful submissions from improved nutritional content, to resilience against parasites and diseases, technologies to monitor broiler performance as well as management of adverse environmental factors/ conditions in poultry.

The forum which featured distribution of gift items to customers by Jofez Agro Ltd, was attended by poultry farm from across the state and beyond, veterinarians, agro dealers and experts in different value chains.