Catalyzing Strengthened Policy Action for Healthy Diets and Resilience (CASCADE) is set to empower 2,710 smallholder women farmers in Bauchi and Toro Local Government Areas of Bauchi State with noiler birds, aiming to enhance their participation in sustainable livestock production.
During the official launch and training of “mother units” on the noiler poultry value chain and integrated poultry farming practices, CASCADE Program Manager, Isaac Ishaya Audu, explained that each woman who purchases five birds will receive an additional five birds and 12.5 kg of poultry feed. Similarly, those who buy 10 chicks will get 10 extra, along with 25 kg of feed.
According to Audu, the initiative seeks to revitalize women’s engagement in poultry farming so they can contribute to improved household nutrition and economic resilience.
“CASCADE chose noiler poultry because of its resilience to harsh climatic conditions and its suitability for rural women who have limited financial capacity to manage commercial poultry,” he said.
He emphasized that the goal is to increase women’s income, improve household nutrition, and strengthen women’s ownership of agricultural production.
“We want to enhance both meat and egg consumption at the household level while creating a sustainable source of income,” he added.
Audu noted that CASCADE is partnering with Amo Farm Sieberer Hatchery to implement a sustainable model that guarantees access to quality chicks and inputs. The partnership also aims to expand the market for noiler products.
“We are triggering demand through village-level outreach across project communities to encourage adoption and ownership of the initiative,” he said.
Farmers under the scheme will receive a 50% subsidy on the cost of chicks, feed, vaccines, drugs, and other essential inputs to support the growth of their poultry business.
The project is jointly implemented by CASCADE, CARE Nigeria, and the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN), with support from the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
By Lizzy Carr
