The State government is training 1000 youths from the 17 LGAs in the State in poultry farming. The first phase of the training, which is starting with 225 youths has commenced at Abia State Poultry Cluster, Umuosu-Umunna Nsulu, Isiala-Ngwa North LGA.
Speaking with Abia Online at the venue, the Project Co-ordinator, Abia State Poultry Clusters, Mr I. C. Nwankwere said the programme, Accelerated Agricultural Development Scheme (AADS) of the State Government through the instrumentality of Abia State Ministry of Agriculture is aimed at training youths who would manage the poultry pens in the farm.
Mr. Nwankwere charged the participants to develop passion for Agriculture and align their passion with the vision of the State Governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu who has made Agriculture one of the five pillars of his administration.
He explained that the 3.5 hectares of land where the Poultry Cluster, has 69 pens where about 10,000 chicks of both broiler and layer are being reared.
While commending the Governor for establishing the cluster, Mr. Nwankwere appealed to him to consider doing palliative works on the road that leads to the farm to enable it be much more accessible to attract buyers.
Also speaking, the consultant in charge of the training, Mr. Nonso Ogbunamiri disclosed that his farm was contracted by the State Government with the mandate to train 1000 poultry farmers in Abia State, 50 persons each from the 17 Local Government Areas in the State.
Mr. Ogbunamiri noted that the essence of the training is to participate in rearing the birds as well as keep the youths busy and make them self-employed.
He further clarified that the youth would be supervised to enable them develop into great farmers capable of taking care of their own farms maintaining that Abia State would be number one State in the Federation in poultry production and marketing if the project is properly harnessed.
