By Mbaramah Precious
In an effort to promote sustainable farming practices in Nigeria, a team from the RMRDC Imo state Coordinating office led by the state coordinator, Mr. David Enemuo visited several farms to explore the application of probiotics in organic poultry farming.
Among many farms visited was the Onix and Jesper farms, one of the largest farms in Owerri, Imo State. The CEO of the farm, Mrs. Henrietta Ujunwa, an industrial physics graduate, is interestingly leading research on “Stonebraker” (Chanca Piedra) as a potential substitute for antibiotics in poultry farming. Her research aligns seamlessly with RMRDC’s mission of promoting research-driven agricultural practices.
Mr. Enemuo while speaking on the purpose of the visit, stated that the goal of RMRDC is to support farmers in accepting the technology adding that probiotics offer a natural and effective solution to improve poultry health, reduce antibiotics usage, and promote eco-friendly farming practices.
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According to Mrs. Henrietta, the farm was established in 2020, with a modern cage system, and a capacity of over 12,000 birds. “What sets this farm apart is its commitment to providing an antibiotic-free diet for its birds, using a unique blend of medicinal herbs and natural spices designed to support avian health through probiotic solutions”, she stated.
In addition, the farm’s commitment to environmental sustainability is evident in its eco-friendly waste management practices. By using vermicomposting, chicken manure, they are utilized as a nutrient-rich feedstock for composting worms, resulting in high-quality organic fertilizer. This not only enriches the soil but also supports local aquaculture operations while providing sustainable products for nearby farmers.
She expressed the need for essential feed mill equipment—a Crusher and Mixer—to enable the production of tailored feeds for the birds. Additionally, she sought support to advance her research on “Stone Breaker” as a probiotic solution aimed at reducing antibiotic dependency in poultry farming.
Responding, Mr. Enemuo David lauded Onix and Jesper farm for its innovation and informed that the Council will consider areas it will be collaborating with the farm especially in creating awareness via sensitization workshops, engaging with regulatory bodies to develop probiotic standards, etc. in probiotics and antibiotics applications.
He said this is expected to bring about a transformative shift towards healthier poultry farming strategies. He observed that consumer preferences evolve towards sustainability, and this innovative model could serve as a blueprint for future advancements within the poultry industry.
