Nigeria Soy Excellence Center Begins Poultry Production Training with Kansas State University
The Nigerian Soy Excellence Center (SEC Nigeria) was established with a vision to support agriculture as a foundation for a healthy and growing Nigeria with soya as a solution for Nigeria’s protein needs. The concept is to help growing markets like Nigeria address protein challenges and create a “cascade of demand” for soy and soy-related products. The goal is to provide agricultural expertise and facilitate connections that drive market possibilities across the agri-food value chain.
Premier Agribusiness Academy, a leading centre of learning, developing and transferring well researched and innovative competencies required for sustainable investment in all allied industries of the agri-sector also doubles as the Nigeria Center Lead for the US SOY Program.
The heavily discounted program sponsored by US SOY started with the Agronomy track in November, 2020 where 35 participants were trained. The maiden edition of the Poultry Track Training for stakeholders across the Poultry Value chain was organised and facilitated under strict adherence for Covid-19 protocols by experts from the Premier Agribusiness Academy and other professional facilitators from Kansas State University, United States. The program will award participants a Basic Certificate in Poultry Production from the Kansas State University.
Day 1 (22nd February, 2021)
The 4 days fully residential training program started on the 22nd to 25th February, 2021 at the International Conference Center, IITA Ibadan with an Opening Ceremony where the Director General of Premier Agribusiness Academy, Mr. Francis Toromade introduced the Regional Representative of USSOY in Sub-saharan Africa and Focal point for USSOY in SEC Nigeria Dr. Michael David started with an Introductory speech welcoming the participants to the maiden edition of the Poultry Track program on behalf of the Regional Director, South Asia, Sub-saharan Africa USSEC, Mr. Kevin Roepke.
The Counsellor for Agricultural Affairs Nigeria, Benin and Cameroon Mr. Gerald H. Smith gave the Keynote address after a goodwill message from Kansas State University was also delivered by Dr. Carlos Campabadal.
The training activities started with participants arrival and registration at the venue coordinated by the Premier Agribusiness Academy, the Center Lead of the Soy Excellence Center supported by AgroInfoTech Consulting, a digital agriculture company.
The first lecture, Fundamentals of Poultry Production and Management was delivered by Mr. Harry Njoagwuani, a registered Animal Scientist and also a certified Kansas State University trainer who has over 3 decades experience across the poultry value chain.
The second lecture, Poultry Value Chain Overview was also delivered by Mr. Harry Njoagwuani.
Dr. Wilmer Pacheco, a Professor at the Auburn University, United States and also a poultry value chain professional with over 30 years experience delivered the 3rd lecture, Hatchery and Brooding Management.
To conclude activities for the first day of the training programme, participants were trained on the Digital Learning Management Platform by the AgroInfoTech Consulting team who also prepared the participants for their assessments and course evaluation using the learning platform.
Other Day 1 Activities In Pictures
Day 2 (23rd February, 2021)
On the second day of the training program, 23rd of February, 2021 training activities started with a review of Day 1 Lectures coordinated by the Director General of Premier Agribusiness Academy, Mr. Francis Toromade who engaged participants on the previous lectures; Fundamentals of Poultry Production and Management, Poultry Value Chain Overview and Hatchery and Brooding Management.
The first lecture, Biosecurity in Poultry was delivered by Dr. Olusegun Makanjuola, an expert in Farm Planning and Management, former General Secretary Poultry Association of Nigeria and also a certified Kansas State University trainer with over 3 decades of experience across the poultry value chain.
The second lecture, Broiler Production and Management was delivered by Dr. Wilmer Pacheco, a Professor at the Auburn University, United States and also a poultry value chain professional with over 30 years experience.
Dr. Olusegun Makanjuola delivered the 3rd lecture, Heat Stress Mitigation in Poultry.
Activities for the second day of the training programme came to an end with a review on Quiz for Day 1 lectures by the AgroInfoTech Consulting team who also walked participants through the process of taking Day 2 Quiz, course evaluation and upcoming final assessment.
Day 3 (24th February, 2021)
On the third and final day of the training program, 24th of February, 2021 training activities started with a brief Q/A session on Day 2 Lectures coordinated by Mr. Taiwo Adeoye who answered questions raised by participants on the previous lecture; Heat Stress Mitigation.
Shortly after the Q/A session the participants went on a tour of the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA). Participants toured round the Greenhouse (Controlled plant growing environment), Rice Research field, Maize Research field and The John Craig Dam.
The first lecture, Layer Production and Management was delivered by Mr. Taiwo Adeoye, a renowned Animal Scientist and President of Animal Science Association of Nigeria (ASAN) and also a certified Kansas State University trainer with over 3 decades of experience across the poultry value chain.
The second lecture, Record Keeping, Economics and Marketing in Poultry was delivered by Mr. Taiwo Adeoye
Dr. Wilmer Pacheco, a Professor at Auburn University, United States delivered the 3rd lecture, Poultry Nutrition .
Activities for the third and final day of the training programme came to an end with a review on Day 2 quiz by the AgroInfoTech Consulting team who also discussed Day 3 quiz and the final assessment of participants on Thursday, 25th February, 2021.
