The BATN Foundation has empowered 200 women in Jigawa State with poultry birds, feed, medication and enterprise-management training under its EMPOWER-Her Poultry Project.
The initiative, launched in Dutse on September 4, 2026, is being implemented in partnership with the Jigawa State Government and other development partners to promote sustainable livelihoods, improve household incomes and strengthen food security among women in rural communities.
The beneficiaries received Noiler birds, poultry feed and medication after undergoing practical training in poultry production and enterprise management. The support is designed to provide the women with productive assets and the knowledge required to establish and manage small-scale poultry businesses.
Speaking at the inauguration, BATN Foundation Project Manager, Adetola Oniyelu, said the programme was designed to go beyond the distribution of agricultural inputs by creating opportunities for women to build sustainable businesses.
According to him, empowering women through poultry farming would enable them to generate income, contribute to household food security and strengthen the economic resilience of their families and communities.
Poultry farming offers the beneficiaries opportunities to earn income through the sale of eggs and meat while also improving access to animal protein and supporting household nutrition.
The initiative is also expected to encourage greater participation of women in the agricultural value chain and create sustainable sources of livelihood in rural communities.
Government officials at the event urged the beneficiaries to treat the birds and other inputs as productive assets and manage their poultry enterprises carefully to ensure long-term benefits.
The event was attended by the Jigawa State Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Muttaka Namadi; Commissioner for Women Affairs, Hadiza Abdulwahab; Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture, Auwalu Ado Shehu; and representatives of BATN Foundation and other stakeholders.
The EMPOWER-Her Poultry Project forms part of BATN Foundation’s broader efforts to promote women’s economic empowerment and inclusive agricultural development across Nigeria.
Through the provision of productive assets, practical training and enterprise support, the foundation aims to help participating women develop viable businesses capable of generating income and improving the welfare of their households.
For the 200 beneficiaries in Jigawa, the intervention provides an opportunity to build poultry enterprises while contributing to food production and economic activity within their communities.