In a significant move to bolster sustainable livestock production and empower rural women, a total of 2,710 smallholder women farmers in Bauchi and Toro Local Government Areas of Bauchi State have been equipped with Noiler birds.
This impactful initiative, spearheaded by the Catalyzing Strengthened Policy Action for Healthy Diets and Resilience (CASCADE) project, aims to enhance household nutrition and build economic resilience among these communities.
The program, which commenced with a recent flag-off in Bauchi, offers substantial support to the participating women.
According to Isaac Ishaya Audu, Programme Manager of CASCADE, women who purchased five Noiler birds received an additional five birds along with 12.5kg of poultry feed.
Those who opted for 10 chicks were given an extra 10 and a 25kg bag of feed. Beyond direct bird distribution, the initiative also includes comprehensive training for "mother units" on the Noiler poultry value chain and best practices in integrated poultry farming.
Audu highlighted the strategic choice of Noiler poultry, citing its resilience to harsh climatic conditions and its suitability for rural women with limited financial capacity. "Our goal is to revitalize women smallholder farmers' engagement in poultry agriculture so that they can contribute to improved household nutrition and economic resilience," he stated.
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He further explained that the project seeks to "improve their income that will compliment nutrition at the household level by way of strengthening women ownership of production and also to enhance meat and eggs consumption."
This empowerment scheme is fortified by a key partnership with Amo Farm Sieberer Hatchery. CASCADE is working with Amo Farm to create a sustainable model for poultry access, leveraging their expertise in breeding chicks.
"We are triggering demand through villages across communities of implementation to see how they can buy into this opportunity," Audu added, underscoring the demand-driven approach.
A major financial incentive for the farmers is a generous 50% subsidy on the cost of chicks, feeds, vaccines, drugs, and other vital complements for the poultry business. This significantly reduces the financial barrier for smallholder farmers looking to venture into or expand their poultry operations.
The partnership with Amo Farms also extends to driving market expansion for Noiler products, creating a more robust value chain.
The CASCADE project is a collaborative effort, implemented by CASCADE, CARE Nigeria, and the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN), with crucial support from the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
This multi-stakeholder approach aims to create lasting impact and foster a more resilient and nutritious future for smallholder farming communities in Bauchi State.
