Bennett Oghifo BATN Foundation has launched an initiative to empower 200 women in Jigawa State with poultry assets and enterprise training. The programme, known as EMPOWER-Her Poultry Project, aims to boost household incomes, food security, and rural livelihoods. The project was inaugurated on September 4, 2026, in Dutse, Jigawa State, in collaboration with the Jigawa State Government and development partners. This initiative seeks to address the constraints faced by women in rural communities, including limited access to productive resources and enterprise opportunities.
Under the programme, the beneficiaries received Noiler birds, poultry feed, and medication after undergoing training in poultry production and enterprise management. The training is designed to equip the women with the knowledge and skills required to manage poultry enterprises effectively. The intervention targets women in rural communities, who often face significant challenges in accessing productive resources, technical knowledge, and sustainable sources of income. By providing these resources, the BATN Foundation aims to create sustainable income-generating opportunities for the beneficiaries.
Speaking at the inauguration, Project Manager, BATN Foundation, Adetola Oniyelu, emphasized that empowerment goes beyond providing inputs. He stated that the initiative is designed to create opportunities for women to build productive businesses, generate income, contribute to household food security, and strengthen their economic resilience. Oniyelu explained that supporting women to participate in the poultry value chain would create pathways to sustainable livelihoods while strengthening their capacity to contribute to the economic wellbeing of their families and communities.
The BATN Foundation’s intervention combines the provision of productive assets with practical training, an approach intended to equip the beneficiaries with both the resources and knowledge required to manage poultry enterprises. Poultry production remains an important entry point into agriculture for rural women because it requires relatively manageable levels of investment and provides opportunities for regular income through the sale of eggs and meat. This approach is expected to improve household nutrition and food availability while helping beneficiary families build greater economic resilience.
Government officials who attended the inauguration commended the initiative and urged the beneficiaries to manage the poultry assets as viable businesses capable of generating long-term value. They stressed the importance of proper management, reinvestment, and sustainability to ensure that the intervention continues to benefit the women beyond the initial support provided by the Foundation. The officials emphasized that the beneficiaries must take ownership of the programme and ensure its long-term success.
The inauguration was attended by the Jigawa State Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Hon. Muttaka Namadi; Commissioner for Women Affairs, Hajiya Hadiza Abdulwahab; Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture, Auwalu Ado Shehu; Oniyelu and other stakeholders. The collaboration with the state government is expected to enhance the programme’s impact and ensure its sustainability. The government’s involvement will also help to create a supportive environment for the beneficiaries to thrive.
The BATN Foundation’s EMPOWER-Her Poultry Project is expected to have a significant impact on the lives of the 200 women beneficiaries. By providing them with the resources and knowledge required to manage poultry enterprises, the programme will help to improve their incomes, food security, and overall wellbeing. The project’s focus on sustainability and long-term impact will ensure that the benefits of the programme extend beyond the initial support provided by the Foundation.
Key points
- The BATN Foundation has empowered 200 women in Jigawa State with poultry assets and enterprise training to boost household incomes, food security, and rural livelihoods.
- The programme combines the provision of productive assets with practical training to equip beneficiaries with the resources and knowledge required to manage poultry enterprises.
- The intervention is expected to improve household nutrition and food availability while helping beneficiary families build greater economic resilience.
