Vet Konect, a digital animal health platform, has graduated the first cohort of beneficiaries under its Women in Poultry Initiative (WIPI), empowering women to establish profitable and sustainable poultry enterprises.
Speaking during the ceremony on Saturday in Makurdi, its founder and Chief Executive Officer, Dr Shadrach Akpem, said the initiative supports women’s access to livestock training and business support.
Akpem said WIPI is helping women build sustainable poultry enterprises through training, veterinary support, mentorship and market access.
He said participants received 50 broiler chicks, feed support, veterinary guidance, mentorship and market linkage instead of cash, promoting accountability and demonstrating poultry farming’s economic potential.
According to him, the programme encourages practical business management while helping participants develop sustainable agribusinesses capable of generating long-term income and creating employment opportunities.
Akpem said WIPI aims to transform small-scale poultry farmers into successful agribusiness owners, improving household incomes and enabling women to build lasting wealth through poultry production.
“What starts with 50 broiler chicks can grow into a thriving poultry business. Our goal is financial independence and expanding enterprises,” he said.
He said Vet Konect was exploring financing opportunities and expansion support for participants who completed the programme successfully and demonstrated sound poultry management practices.
He commended the graduates for their dedication throughout the production cycle, saying the pioneer cohort’s achievements had attracted greater interest in the initiative.
The WIPI Project Coordinator, Dr Motunrayo Ajir, said the programme was not only transformative but would also strengthen beneficiaries’ technical knowledge, confidence and entrepreneurial capacity for sustainable poultry production.
Ajir urged graduands to apply acquired knowledge, keep proper farm records, maintain good poultry management practices and mentor other women interested in poultry farming.
Mrs Dorathy Akende, Deputy State Coordinator, Network of Women in Agriculture in Nigeria, Benue Chapter, praised Vet Konect for empowering women and strengthening food security.
Mr Kengkeng Ati, Senior Project Officer at International Alert Nigeria, urged graduands to uphold high business standards and become reliable suppliers of quality poultry products.
Speaking for the beneficiaries, Mrs Ruth Semaka said the programme transformed her poultry business through practical training, mentorship and valuable opportunities previously unavailable to her.
Another graduate, Mrs Obande Mandu, said the initiative improved her poultry management and marketing skills while boosting confidence to operate a more profitable poultry enterprise.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the highlight of the event was the presentation of certificates and production inputs, among other supports.
(NAN).
