Over the month of March, poultry farmers across Kenya had the opportunity to enhance their skills through the Professional Poultry Farming Programme at Zetech University’s Technology Park Mang’u Campus. The training, held every Saturday throughout the month, attracted over 100 poultry farmers and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the poultry sector.
The comprehensive programme covered key areas such as the importance of poultry farming in Kenya, various poultry breeds and their characteristics, key stakeholders in the sector, opportunities and challenges, common pests and diseases with prevention methods, steps to establishing a sustainable poultry enterprise, and proper farm setup and design. Additionally, participants engaged in field visits to gain practical insights into successful poultry farming.
Speaking at the graduation ceremony for the programme’s first cohort, Zetech University’s Deputy Vice Chancellor, Academics, Research and Student Affairs, Prof. Alice Njuguna, emphasised the university’s commitment to community outreach. “Agriculture is a crucial sector for our economy. If one person can feed their family, they have a responsibility to society to create jobs and ensure food security, in alignment with the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) number two on Zero Hunger. This is why we need to continuously sharpen our skills and apply this knowledge for the greater good,” she stated.
The need for training in poultry farming is evident, as per FAOSTAT (2020), which ranks Kenya among the top ten countries with the lowest per capita poultry meat consumption in Africa. Conversely, Kenya ranks eighth in egg production, with Migori, Kakamega, and Kiambu counties leading in output. Such statistics highlight the potential for growth in the sector, necessitating continuous skilling and reskilling initiatives to promote sustainable poultry farming practices.
One of the trainees, Mr. Benard Mwangangi, a poultry farmer, shared his experience, stating, “The biggest challenge in poultry farming is mortality, followed closely by feeding programmes. Through this training, I have gained invaluable knowledge on managing these challenges, particularly in nutrition. The four-week programme, including field visits, has greatly improved my understanding of running a successful poultry enterprise.”
Zetech University Campus Director, Dr. Beauttah Mwangi, reaffirmed the university’s dedication to bridging the knowledge gap between academia and industry. “At Zetech University, we believe in positively engaging with the community and corporates through knowledge sharing. Poultry farming is just one of the many training programmes we offer. In May, we will be launching another programme focused on leadership,” he announced.
Zetech University’s initiative to retrain and reskill poultry farmers is a significant step toward strengthening Kenya’s agricultural sector. By equipping farmers with modern techniques and industry knowledge, the university is playing a pivotal role in boosting poultry production, improving food security, and promoting economic sustainability. With continued training and empowerment, Kenya moves closer to agricultural self-sufficiency and increased productivity in the poultry industry.