Climate Change: Rehab Cluster Farm Trains Lokoja Poultry Farmers on Adaptive Practices
In a bid to cushion the impact of climate change on poultry production, the Rehab Cluster Farm has organised a one-day capacity-building session for poultry farmers in Lokoja, Kogi State.
The training, held at the Rehab Cluster Farm, was anchored by the farm’s Chairman and Coordinator of Poultry Farmers in Lokoja, Hon. Arome Daniel Ibrahim, who noted that the initiative was carried out under the directive of the State Project Coordinator of the Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support (L-PRES) Project, Mr. Abdulkabir Otaru.
Speaking at the event, Hon. Ibrahim said the growing impact of climate change on livestock productivity, particularly poultry, has necessitated urgent sensitisation and practical education of farmers on climate-smart solutions.
The training featured technical sessions by seasoned poultry experts including Hon. Iliyasu Zekeri and Mrs. Emelda Nwachukwu, who took participants through modern approaches to mitigate climate-induced challenges in poultry production.
In their separate presentations, the facilitators emphasised the need for climate-smart infrastructure and adaptive management practices such as the construction of well-ventilated poultry houses using heat-reflective roofing, integration of solar-powered ventilation and lighting systems, and the implementation of heat-reducing technologies like foggers and shade nets.
They also advocated for the use of specially formulated diets enriched with vitamins and electrolytes to minimise heat stress, alongside improved biosecurity, disease prevention, and the introduction of heat-tolerant poultry breeds. Efficient waste management, according to them, remains crucial to reducing harmful greenhouse emissions from poultry operations.
Furthermore, the speakers stressed the relevance of digital tools such as weather monitoring systems and real-time farm sensors to aid quick responses to environmental changes. They called on government at all levels, as well as stakeholders in the agricultural sector, to provide enabling policies, access to insurance schemes, and funding opportunities to enhance farmers’ resilience.
The highlight of the training was an interactive session where farmers shared experiences and cross pollinate ideas on climate adaptation strategies. Participants lauded the initiative, describing it as timely and impactful in the face of increasing climate volatility.
Rehab Cluster Farm reiterated its commitment to building a knowledge-driven farming community that can withstand the evolving challenges of poultry production in a warming climate.
