As part of efforts to improve the livelihood of rural smallholder farmers and their families in Bauchi State, the British American Tobacco Nigeria (BATN) Foundation executed a poultry project to support 300 rural and vulnerable women in Bauchi State.

The initiative focuses on poultry production, and aims to generate income, promote gender equality, and combat poverty in vulnerable communities.  

The General Manager of BATNF, Oludare Odusanya, represented by Engr. Sadiq Abdullahi Waziri, underscored the foundation’s dedication to enhancing the well-being of rural farmers.

In his statement, he highlighted that over five billion naira has been invested in farmers through strategically designed impactful projects since the foundation’s establishment in 2002.

Odusanya emphasized that the project serves as a pilot, with the potential for scaling up due to its direct positive impact on smallholder rural farmers.

The BATN Foundation partnered with key stakeholders including the Bauchi State ADP Office and the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security which assisted in beneficiary selection and ensured project alignment with national agricultural priorities. The Bauchi State ADP Office provided local expertise and streamlined beneficiary selection through their established networks.

Other partners include Amo Farm Sieberer Hatchery Limited, which supplied the high-quality noiler birds and offered technical support to women, ensuring project longevity, and Eco-lead Imperial Engineering & Global Services Ltd which implemented the project, managing all activities from beneficiary selection to training and inputs distribution.

Each of the 300 beneficiary women were selected across seven Local Government Areas (LGAs) in the State – Bauchi, Shira, Tafawa Balewa, Alkaleri, Warji, Ganjuwa, and Toro. They received a carefully curated package including 20 noiler birds, one bag of 25kg specially formulated feed and one 100g sachet of essential vitamins for poultry production.

To broaden their knowledge of poultry management, beneficiaries were also equipped with adequate training and sensitization to ensure best practices in poultry production. Noilers were selected because of their hardy and dual purpose to produce both eggs and meat.

The flag-off ceremony for the distribution was attended by several dignitaries. These included the Honorable Commissioner for Agriculture in Bauchi state, Professor Simon Madugu Yalams who presided as the chairman of the occasion, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture, Directors, Heads of departments, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in charge of the Yelwa Division, the Acting Program Manager of Bauchi State Agricultural Development Programme (BSADP), as well as the L-PRESS (State Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support Programme) Coordinator, Dr. (Mrs.) Rose Idi who doubles as the Director of Monitoring and Evaluation for the Bauchi State Agricultural Development Program (BSADP). She was also the State Focal Person for this project.

The Honorable Commissioner for Agriculture while delivering his speech expressed gratitude to the British American Tobacco Nigeria Foundation for choosing Bauchi state to benefit from the initiative. He commended the tireless efforts of everyone involved in bringing the project to fruition. In his address, the commissioner emphasized the commitment of the Bauchi state government, through his ministry, to sustain the project with an innovative approach that complements and supports the beneficiaries, ensuring long-term success. He urged beneficiaries to utilize the support effectively and appealed for more gestures from individuals and corporate organizations.

Speaking on behalf of Eco-Lead Global Services, Dr. Umar Abdullahi Maina, expressed satisfaction with the collaboration received from the Bauchi state government through BSADP.

He urged beneficiaries to prioritize appropriate biosecurity measures and ensure the adequate feeding of their birds as essential steps in safeguarding their livelihoods.

Dr. Maina concluded by calling on extension agents from BSADP and the ministry to continue offering steadfast support in providing routine extension services for the beneficiaries.

Some of the beneficiaries who commented after the distribution expressed their gratitude to BATN Foundation for the support and promised that they would ensure the sustainability of the project.

This poultry project aligns with the BATN Foundation’s dedication to empowering rural communities in Nigeria. By fostering self-reliance through income generation and improved nutrition, the project aims to create a lasting impact on women, their families, and the Bauchi State economy.