Poultry Training in Zambia Targets Antimicrobial Resistance Through Farmer Field Schools

Practical learning focuses on safer poultry production

Poultry training programs are increasingly addressing antimicrobial resistance (AMR), linking farm management, disease prevention and responsible antibiotic use. In Zambia, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has reported progress through Broiler Farmer Field Schools designed to help small-scale producers adopt safer poultry practices ⁽¹⁾.

The initiative uses participatory, hands-on learning, allowing farmers to observe, test and apply improved practices directly on their farms. Training covers biosecurity, vaccination, disease prevention, good husbandry and prudent antimicrobial use, helping farmers reduce avoidable disease risks while maintaining productivity.

Evidence supports continued training

The importance of structured poultry education is also supported by a 2026 study published in Veterinary Medicine and Science. Researchers evaluated training involving 183 poultry farmers in Bangladesh and found improvements in knowledge of day-old chick selection, vaccine failure and antimicrobial resistance ⁽²⁾.

However, the researchers concluded that a single training intervention was insufficient to ensure sustained behavioral change, highlighting the need for continued communication and follow-up.

Implications for the poultry sector

Together, these developments underline a growing priority for poultry training: moving beyond knowledge transfer towards practical changes in farm management. Field-based education, combined with ongoing technical support, can help producers strengthen biosecurity and make more informed decisions about disease prevention and antibiotic use.

For the global poultry industry, training that connects animal health, food safety and responsible antimicrobial use offers a practical approach to supporting more resilient production systems.

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