BATN Foundation Empowers Akwa Ibom Poultry Farmers with Noiler Chickens

The BATN Foundation, in partnership with the Akwa Ibom State Government, has distributed 2,000 Noiler chickens to 100 smallholder farmers in the state to boost food security and empower vulnerable rural communities.

Launched in 2024 at the premises of the Akwa Ibom Agricultural Development Project, the initiative targets women—especially widows—youth, and people with disabilities, providing them with resources to establish sustainable poultry farming practices.

Each beneficiary received 20 five-week-old Noiler chickens, a 25kg bag of poultry feed, a 150g multivitamin sachet, and N5,000 for transportation.

During the launch, Rosemary Ubia, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, representing Commissioner Effiong Offor, emphasized the state government’s commitment to agricultural development, aligning with Governor Umo Eno’s ARISE agenda.

The General Manager of the BATN Foundation, Oludare Odusanya, underscored the project’s significance, stating,

“This initiative fosters economic empowerment among smallholder farmers, reflecting our commitment to economic development and enhancing lives in the communities we serve.”

Beneficiaries were selected through a collaboration between the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, the Poultry Farmers Association of Nigeria, and the Nigerian Veterinary Medical Association to ensure the project reached those in greatest need.

Teddy Essien, Director of Veterinary Services in Akwa Ibom State, praised the initiative as a boost for rural agriculture and a step toward improving local poultry breeds. Similarly, Namokwo Orok, Director of Livestock and Husbandry, highlighted its alignment with the state’s agricultural revolution agenda.

The project, implemented by Eco-Lead Imperial Engineering and Global Services Ltd, also focuses on gender equality and equipping women with poultry farming skills.

“This initiative empowers women and youth, creating equal opportunities in agriculture while improving livelihoods and income-generating prospects for rural communities,” Odusanya added.

The collaboration has been described as timely and instrumental in advancing agricultural practices and enhancing nutrition in rural areas.

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