Maria David
LOCAL poultry farmers gathered in Ondangwa to receive training on how best to handle chickens to maximize profit.
The training was attended by about 100 poultry farmers, with the majority of them being women.
Training facilitator Beata Mudjanima explained that the training is merely for the farmers to learn and gain knowledge on the best practices of poultry farming.
During the training, Mudjanima reminded the farmers to be on the lookout for common diseases in poultry such as Newcastle disease, Infectious Bronchitis, Gumboro, and Fowl Pox, which she said are more common during the rainy season.
“Chicken farming is not for lazy people, and if you are unable to maintain them, give it away,” she said.
She added that broiler and layer production vary, and in order to be a successful farmer, one must master the day-to-day management tasks of the two breeds.
Broilers are chickens that are specifically bred and raised for their meat, while layers are bred for both meat and eggs, with the goal of producing as many eggs as possible at the lowest cost.
Meanwhile, Technical Advisor at Feedmaster Frank Kanguatjivi indicated that this year alone they have already started training in the Kunene Region, Opuwo, and will conclude in Kavango West.
According to Kanguatjivi, they have provided 15 training sessions alone in various regions, with the aim of informing farmers on how to calculate costs and how to handle their chickens.
“A lot of farmers venture into poultry farming just because their neighbours are doing the same without considering the total input involved, and we provide free training for such a purpose,” he said.
He then urged farmers to make use of the training opportunities and acquire the needed knowledge on poultry farming.
