Crisis and risk management in poultry production: Preparing future leaders for sustainability and food security

Poultry production sector is a cornerstone of food security at national and global levels, providing a vital source of animal protein. However, it faces mounting challenges, including epidemics, avian diseases, supply chain disruptions, climate change impacts, and rising production costs. Despite the significance of these risks, crisis and risk management remain underrepresented in higher education curricula for this essential industry. This study explores the importance of developing the knowledge and skills of poultry science students in crisis and risk management as future leaders in the poultry industry, as well as enhancing their employability, with the aim of ensuring sector sustainability and strengthening food security. A qualitative descriptive methodology, including an extensive literature review, was employed to assess the impact of crises and risk management on industry sustainability and on shaping student competencies for effective leadership in addressing challenges. Findings reveal a significant gap in poultry science education regarding crisis and risk management, undermining graduates' readiness to lead during real-world emergencies. Simultaneously, stakeholders and academic institutions increasingly call for embedding these essential skills into curricula, recognizing their role in enhancing graduate employability and industry resilience. The study recommends reviewing and developing poultry science programs to incorporate concepts of crisis and risk management, alongside providing advanced training in collaboration with industry partners and stakeholders. It also emphasizes the need to recognize risk management as a core component of quality assurance standards within poultry science programs to ensure sector sustainability and promote academic and professional excellence. Additionally, the study provides guidance to policymakers and decision-makers in higher education institutions and poultry science programs on the importance of preparing students to become strategic leaders capable of effectively managing crises, making informed decisions, and safeguarding the sustainability of the poultry industry in the face of future challenges with confidence and competence.