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Vet Konect has trained its first set of beneficiaries for the Women in Poultry Initiative (WIPI), a programme designed to equip women with the skills, support and opportunities needed to build profitable and sustainable poultry businesses.
The organisation also empowered the women with 50 chicks (broilers) each, as well as feed support, veterinary guidance, mentorship and market linkage, instead of cash, so as to promote accountability.
The Founder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Vet Konect, Dr. Shadrach Akpem, stated that WIPI is expected to assist the women to build sustainable poultry enterprises through training, veterinary support, mentorship and market access.
Speaking at the graduation ceremony held in Makurdi, Benue State, over the weekend, Akpem said the initiative was created to address the limited access many women have to practical livestock training, business support and growth opportunities.
He explained that the programme adopted a revolving empowerment model in which participants were provided with 50 broiler chicks each, feed support, veterinary guidance, mentorship and market linkage, rather than cash, to promote accountability and demonstrate the economic potential of poultry production.
According to him, the long-term vision of WIPI is to help women grow from small-scale poultry farmers into successful agribusiness owners capable of creating jobs, increasing household income and building wealth.
Akpem said, “What starts with 50 broiler chicks can grow into a thriving poultry business. Our goal is to see these women become financially independent and build enterprises that can expand over time.”
He further noted that Vet Konect is exploring additional financing and expansion opportunities for participants who successfully complete the programme and demonstrate good management practices.
Commending the graduates for their dedication throughout the production cycle, he noted that the results from the first cohort have encouraged further interest in the initiative.
The Project Coordinator, WIPI, Dr. Onadeji Ajir, congratulated the beneficiaries and described the programme as a transformative journey that has strengthened the women’s technical knowledge, confidence and business capacity.
She encouraged the graduates to apply the lessons learned, keep proper farm records, maintain good poultry management practices and support other women who wish to venture into poultry farming.
In her remarks at the event, Dorathy Akende, Deputy State Coordinator of the Benue State chapter, Network of Women in Agriculture in Nigeria (NWAN), praised Vet Konect for providing women with practical skills, mentorship and opportunities that can improve livelihoods and contribute to food security.
On his part, Kengkeng Ati, Senior Project Officer, International Alert Nigeria, urged the graduates to maintain high business standards and position themselves as reliable suppliers of quality poultry products.
Speaking on behalf of the graduates, Ruth Semaka said the programme transformed her poultry business by giving her access to practical training, mentorship and opportunities she previously lacked.
Another participant, Obande Mandu, said the initiative improved her poultry management and marketing skills and gave her greater confidence to run a more profitable poultry enterprise.
The ceremony featured the presentation of inputs and cash equivalents of income earned by the women during the 3 production circles. It also featured the presentation of certificates and symbolic presentation of cheques.
