Kogi govt backs modern poultry push with Agro Preciso

Kogi state government has entered into an agreement with Agro Preciso Nigeria Limited and others to introduce and promote improved poultry breeds such as SASSO chickens to improve livestock production. The state commissioner of Livestock Development, Dr. Olufemi Bolarinwa disclosed this on Thursday in Lokoja during a one-day sensitisation and training workshop on SASSO Chicken […]

Kogi state government has entered into an agreement with Agro Preciso Nigeria Limited and others to introduce and promote improved poultry breeds such as SASSO chickens to improve livestock production.

The state commissioner of Livestock Development, Dr. Olufemi Bolarinwa disclosed this on Thursday in Lokoja during a one-day sensitisation and training workshop on SASSO Chicken rearing.

Dr Bolarinwa stated that the introduction and promotion of improved poultry breeds of SASSO chickens will boost food security, strengthen farmers’ income, and improve livelihoods of rural dwellers .

He noted that the programme is in tandem with the vision of the present kogi state government to redesign the livestock industry to be productive ,and become economically viable sector.

“We commended the collaborative efforts of Agro Preciso Nigeria Limited, Kogi L-PRES, and Adva Nigeria Limited for organizing the initiative, which highlight the importance of public-private partnerships in driving agricultural development.

“Sasso chickens, unlike many indigenous breeds, offer dual-purpose benefits—providing both meat and eggs—while remaining adaptable to local environmental conditions.

“The Ministry will sustain its collaboration with development partners and private sector players to expand improved livestock production systems across the state”, he said .

He assured that the government will provide the necessary policy framework, technical guidance, and enabling environment to ensure the success of the initiatives.

Dr Bolarinwa added that the one- day training programme is very important as it equips farmers, extension agents, including stakeholders in poultry business with “modern management skills, proper brooding techniques, effective feeding practices, disease control, and overall husbandry”.

Earlier, the Managing Director (MD) Agro Preciso Limited, Dr. Nurudeen Lawal said the launching of the Sasso Poultry Sensitisation and Capacity-Building Workshop in Lokoja, marks a remarkable move towards boosting the country’s poultry sector through improved genetics and education of farmers .

Dr Kawal stated further that Sasso breed chickens remains a transformative option for poultry farmers; even as he added that Lokoja was selected as the starting point for the nationwide rollout of the initiative .

He noted that the one-day workshop is the realization of a long-term move to empower modern poultry farmers and enhance their profitability, including advancing food security, job creation, and rural economic growth across Kogi and Nigeria at large.

He said : “Unlike conventional broilers or layers, Sasso birds are dual-purpose and suited to free-range systems, offering both meat and egg production. They are also noted for their resilience and adaptability to local environmental conditions.

“The initiative follows the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Agro Preciso Limited and Hendrix Genetics, a global producer of the Sasso poultry breed.

“Under the agreement, Agro Preciso is the official agent for Sasso poultry in Nigeria, positioning the company to drive the adoption of resilient and high-performing birds among local farmers.

According to Dr Bolarinwa the workshop is designed to equip participants with practical skills and knowledge for successful poultry farming.

He stressed that the training modules cover “breed characteristics, farm business management, and the role of extension services and “Mother Units” in supporting smallholder farmers”.

The one -day training programme was facilitated by international poultry expert, Wilfred Kooij, putting the participants through on modern and efficient poultry production systems in agreement to local realities.

While L-press assured of unwavering support to ensure the initiative become a success in the state, Adva feeds assured of readily adequate available feeds for Sasso chickens producers .

Several participants appreciated the move of the kogi state government in this direction, assuring the organisers that they will apply the knowledge acquired from the workshop to improve their livestock business, create more employment and make more income.