The SASSO Poultry Workshop, organised by Agro Preciso Limited in collaboration with the L-PRES Project and with support from the World Bank, was held in Lokoja, Kogi State, bringing together key stakeholders in the poultry value chain for a one-day capacity-building programme.
Designed to equip farmers and industry actors with practical knowledge on SASSO chicken products, the workshop focused on improving productivity, profitability, and resilience in the face of evolving sector challenges. The session attracted over 57 participants from across Kogi State and beyond, reflecting strong interest in innovative poultry solutions.
Speaking at the event held at the Banquet Hall of Suitoria Hotel, Lokoja, Dr. Nuruddeen S. Lawal, MD/CEO of Agro Preciso, described the initiative as a strategic intervention aimed at repositioning poultry farming. He emphasised that the SASSO breed is not merely another poultry type, but an improved, dual-purpose free-range variety that offers a practical response to sectoral constraints. According to him, the breed is hardy, adaptable to local conditions, and capable of delivering high-quality meat and eggs, thereby presenting a pathway to a more profitable, sustainable, and inclusive poultry enterprise for rural farmers.
The programme also received strong backing from the Kogi State Government. The Commissioner for Livestock Development, Dr. Olufemi Bolarin, commended the organisers for bringing the initiative to the state, noting that the introduction of improved breeds such as SASSO holds significant promise for enhancing food security, boosting incomes, and improving livelihoods. He reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to supporting similar interventions that enable farmers to build stable and sustainable income streams.
He further highlighted the importance of the training, describing it as both timely and essential in equipping farmers, extension agents, and stakeholders with modern poultry management skills, including brooding, feeding, disease control, and general husbandry practices.
Participants expressed satisfaction with the workshop’s impact. One attendee, Musa Hakeem, noted that the training had broadened his understanding of modern poultry farming and would help reduce losses and operational costs.
Also speaking, Welfred van der Krooij, who presented on the SASSO value chain, urged participants to apply the knowledge gained with discipline and to take full advantage of the opportunities presented.
The workshop concluded with the presentation of certificates of attendance, marking a significant step toward strengthening poultry production and value chain development in Kogi State and beyond.