Tamale: Animal production and agricultural extension staff from selected District Departments of Agriculture in the Savannah Region have completed a comprehensive training on Good Animal Husbandry Practices (GAHP), improved extension services, and climate change mitigation strategies aimed at ensuring sustainable animal production.
According to Ghana News Agency, the week-long training of trainers’ workshop, which concluded in Tamale, was designed to equip participants with enhanced knowledge and skills to train livestock farmers in adopting GAHP, thereby improving sustainable animal production. This initiative aligns with the European Union (EU) Food Security Response in Northern Ghana project, a three-year effort from August 2023 to July 2026, carried out by the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations in collaboration with the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, Regional and District Departments of Agriculture, and civil society organisations.
The project aims to enhance food and nutrition security and promote sustainable livelihoods for vulnerable rural farming populations across six selected districts in the Savannah, North East, and Upper East Regions. Participants from Sawla-Tuna-Kalba, Central Gonja, North Gonja, and North East Gonja Districts are expected to conduct follow-up training sessions for livestock farmers, focusing on good animal housing for ruminants, poultry and pigs, breed selection, improved feeding, disease and pest management, and farm record keeping.
The training for livestock farmers will also cover current trends in using innovative tools to increase access to agricultural extension and information for production, as well as addressing climate change effects and mitigation strategies with a focus on livestock production.
Savannah Regional Director of Agriculture, Mr. Seidu Sulemana, praised FAO and EU for their support during the closing of the training, highlighting the positive impact on the livestock sector in the region. The 32 participants were educated on various topics including animal housing, feed formulation, agricultural extension, animal health, and climate change effects on the environment, particularly concerning animal production and strategies to mitigate these effects.
Mr. Sulemana emphasized that the training equipped participants to contribute to the Feed Ghana Programme’s success, assuring that they are committed to delivering sustainable results in their communities. He reiterated the profitability of raising livestock, noting that the training would significantly enhance livestock production in the region.
Ms. Nafisa Tabari, an Animal Health Officer from the Central Gonja District, praised the feed formulation component of the training, expressing her intent to pass on the knowledge to farmers to improve feed preparation, especially during the dry season. Mr. Hussein Yusuf, a Veterinary Officer from Sawla-Tuna-Kalba District, appreciated the training’s in-depth focus on disease prevention, control, and vaccination, which will aid in maintaining healthy livestock in the area.