THE General Works Manager of Grand Cereals Limited, Mr Sanjeev Jain recently disclosed that the company has organised a workshop to train poultry farmers in Plateau toward boosting poultry production in the state to survive the present economic challenges.
Jain said that farmers needed to put in place strategies and practices that would block leakages affecting their investment either due to ignorance or nonchalant disposition, stressing that Grand Cereals has always being at the forefront of ensuring farmers’ education and information on best practices to ensure sustainable revenue, as seen in various interventions and sponsored advocacy programmes for Poultry Association of Nigeria (PAN).
He added that it is the company desire to continue to play a pivotal role by investing more in the economy of the state and working with various stakeholders to champion farmer’s affairs in a win-win situation.
Delivering the lecture at the workshop titled: “Profitable Poultry Farming in a Challenging Economy,” Dr Yomi Okunola, a Veterinary Doctor, said that farmers do put in much without commensurate production of eggs and meat, noting that farmers needed to know certain pertinent things to help them improve profit wise and maximise the potential of the birds and that of the farms.
Okunola who listed some of the key things to boost production to include proper shelter for birds to make them comfortable thereby enhancing their production capacities also said that the quality of day-old chicks determines the kind of birds they will eventually grow to become and the output the farmer will get in terms of meat and eggs.
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The Vet Doctor taught farmers how to use feeds in a way that it will be beneficial for the birds and save cost for the farmer, adding that farmer should insure their farms against unforeseen risks as insurance helps farmers to return to business in case of any loss.
In the same vein, the Director, Livestock Services, Plateau Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Mr Nantok Tohomdet, who was represented by Mr Emmanuel Naandokol commended Grand Cereals for empowering farmers with more knowledge on how best to manage their farms.
Tohomdet advised the company which produces various kinds animal feeds to research and go into the production of ruminants feed, stressing that with the planned establishment of ranches by the Federal Government across the nation, the company would be in big business by producing ruminants feed.
Chairman, Poultry Association of Nigeria, Plateau Chapter, Mr John Dasar, appreciated the company for the workshop, saying that it has educated farmers on how best to operate in a challenging economy and for always coming to assist farmers in times of egg glut by mopping up the eggs.