Agro Preciso Trains Farmers on Improved Livestock Farming in Kogi
Ibrahim Oyewale in Lokoja
As part of determination to boost food security and an improved poultry farming in Nigeria, a group, Agro Preciso, in collaboration with Adva Feeds, Kogi State Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support (L-PRES) project have trained no fewer than 67 farmers across the 21 Local government areas of the State .
The Managing Director, Agro Preciso, Dr. Nurudeen Lawal, disclosed this while speaking at the opening ceremony of Sasso Sensitisation and capacity building held in Lokoja ,the Kogi State capital at the weekend.
Lawal explained that this followed the recent signing of the Memorandum of Understanding(MoU) by the Agro Preciso Limited with Sasso by Hendrix Genetics, a global leader in animal genetics, to serve as the sole agent for the Sasso breed in Nigeria.
According to him, this move is a strategic step towards driving the Sasso breed adoption across the country and to advance this goal, Agro Preciso decided to make Kogi State a pilot in Sasso Poultry sensitisation, capacity building and key into the improved poultry farming .
The programme aims to promote the Sasso breed an improved, dual-purpose free-range poultry variety—by equipping stakeholders with best production practices, enhancing economic circularity, and strengthening the poultry value chain.
The workshop, which brought together key actors in the poultry sector, including government officials, extension agents, poultry farmers, and private-sector players, to raise awareness, build capacity, and foster collaboration
He pointed out that the targeted audiences are Government agencies, poultry farmers, development partners (L-PRES), agribusinesses and extension workers.
Lawal explained that the Sasso breed is not just another bird, it is an improved, dual purpose variety that offers a unique solution to the challenges facing our poultry sector. Unlike conventional broilers or layers, the Sasso bird is resilient, thrives in local environments, and provides high quality meat and eggs.
The Kogi State Commissioner for Livestock Development, Dr. Olufemi Bolarinwa, explained that the introduction and promotion of improved poultry breeds such as Sasso chickens present a significant opportunity for enhancing food security, increasing income generation, and improving the livelihoods of our farmers.
“This training is therefore, not only relevant but essential, as it equips our farmers, extension agents, and stakeholders with modern knowledge and skills in poultry management, including proper brooding, feeding, disease control, and general husbandry practices.
“As a ministry, who recognise the importance of partnerships and collaboration in achieving agricultural development we are fully committed to providing the necessary support, policy framework, and technical guidance required to ensure the success of this initiative.
“The ministry will continue to work closely with development partners and private sector players to scale up improved livestock production systems across the state,” the commissioner stated.
