The Animal Science Department at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) recently conducted a training program for poultry experts, farmers, extension officers, and Teaching Assistants. The goal was to transfer new technologies and improve production practices to enhance Ghana’s poultry industry.
In Ghana, the mortality rate among poultry birds can reach 10 to 20 percent within the first two weeks, largely due to inadequate knowledge among farmers. Many poultry farms struggle due to an over-reliance on unverified indigenous practices. To tackle these issues, KNUST organized a capacity-building workshop to equip participants with essential poultry management skills.
This initiative was a collaboration among KNUST, the Ghana Skills Development Fund, the American Soybean Association, and other organizations. Participants included representatives from the National Poultry Farmers Association and Women in Poultry Value Chain. They engaged in practical and theoretical sessions covering topics such as feed formulation, brooding, disease identification, and food safety.
Professor Jacob Alhassan Hamidu, the program lead, stated that the training aligns with KNUST’s mission and aims to reduce Ghana’s annual import of 20,000 day-old chicks by half while improving local production capabilities.
George Dassah, President of the National Poultry Farmers Association, emphasized the importance of such training for local farmers, especially in brooding practices. Similarly, Florence Doku, Acting Greater Regional President of Women in Poultry Value Chain, highlighted the initiative’s relevance to feed formulation.
The workshop aimed to “Bridge the Technology Transfer Gap for Poultry Experts and Consultants.” Consultants.”
