The African Union Development Agency – New Partnership for Africa’s Development (AUDA-NEPAD) Nigeria, has empowered over 100 women and youths on poultry farming in Ososo, Akoko-Edo Local Government Area of Edo.
This was revealed in a statement signed by Mr Marcel Anyatonwu, Communication Officer, AUDA-NEPAD Nigeria, on Tuesday in Abuja.
Ms Gloria Akobundu, National Coordinator and Chief Executive Officer, AUDA-NEPAD Nigeria said the three-day capacity building workshop was organized under the Comprehensive Africa Agricultural Development Programme (CAADP).
Akobundu, who was represented by Mr Zacchaeus Akerejola, Director, Programmes Development and Implementation Department, said the programme aimed at increasing poultry products in the country and enable the participants to be economically empowered.
However, she added that the overall objective of the programme is in line with the renewed hope agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, which focuses on national food security, improved employment opportunities among others.
According to her, the workshop provided the participants with knowledge on essential building and equipment, incubation of eggs, hatchery management, principles for successful production, breeds and breeding, brooding of chicks and management techniques.
She advised the participants to put to use all they were taught during the training for both personal and national good.
Similarly, Dr Onotu Yahaya, a lecturer at Auchi Polytechnic and a resource person at the training, said the country imports 13.8 million tons of chicken annually because of its inability to meet its poultry food demands.
Onotu, who appreciated AUDA-NEPAD Nigeria for the empowerment programme, added that importation of poultry products had so far contributed to the high rate of unemployment in the country, depletion of foreign reserves among others.
