OMUTHIYA – The Okashana Rural Development Centre in the Omuthiya constituency, Oshikoto region, has successfully conducted a two-day poultry farming training programme to empower local farmers with practical knowledge and skills in sustainable poultry production.

During the sessions on Wednesday and Thursday, participants learned about various natural remedies for preventing and controlling common chicken diseases.

The centre’s senior community liaison officer, Tangi Mwandingi, emphasised the value of these locally driven solutions.

“Using locally available herbs and traditional methods helps improve poultry’s health while reducing dependence on expensive medication,” Mwandingi said.

Farmers received comprehensive training in proper hygiene practices, balanced feeding techniques, and maintaining clean poultry shelters to prevent disease outbreaks.

The programme placed strong emphasis on accurate record-keeping. 

Participants learned how to maintain detailed records of expenses, feed consumption, vaccination schedules, sales and overall production performance.

“Proper record-keeping helps farmers monitor profits and losses, improve decision-making and build sustainable poultry businesses,” he added.

The training covered key principles of poultry farming, including different breeds, breeding systems, production types, housing designs, equipment needs, feeds and supplements, egg handling, incubation and hatching techniques.

Special attention was given to common poultry diseases and conditions, including Newcastle disease, Gumboro (infectious bursal disease), infectious coryza, infectious bronchitis, fowl pox, stress, and both internal and external parasites.

Participants were advised on biosecurity measures, vaccination schedules and sustainable management of poultry waste.

Trainers stressed practical treatment protocols – sick birds require antibiotics rather than vaccines.

All other water sources must be removed until medicated water is fully consumed. 

Medicated water should be freshly prepared every 24 hours. 

Sick birds must be isolated.

Cases should be reported to the nearest veterinarian. 

Eggs or birds must not be sold or consumed before the withdrawal period ends.

Mwandingi maintained that poultry farming is a profitable and sustainable agribusiness venture.

“It enjoys high demand, is easy and cheap to manage, provides income opportunities for communities, and contributes to the goals of Vision 2030 and the National Development Plans,” he said.

The centre continues to offer technical support and capacity-building initiatives to promote community empowerment through agriculture. 

– Nampa