By Chinyere Anyanwu
Amo Farm Sieberer Hatchery Limited (AFSH) has declared its commitment to advancing agricultural development in Nigeria through its nutritious protein products, to improve lives.
As AFSH joins other organisations and the world to celebrate this year’s World Food Day, Dr. Ayoola Oduntan, the Group Managing Director, noted that the company is committed to growing agriculture in Nigeria in general by providing access to animal protein through its products comprising the Day-Old Chicks of Layer, Broiler, Noiler and the Point of Lay Pullets.
Dr Oduntan said this year’s theme, “Water is Life, Water is Food,” stresses the critical role of water for life on Earth and as the foundation of food production.
The World Food Day, celebrated annually, focuses on creating global awareness on the challenges of hunger, malnutrition and food security.
According to Oduntan, more access to chicken and eggs in the rural communities through its Noiler bird will reduce the occurrence of child stunting, malnutrition and contribute to improved health.
He said AFSH produces over one million-day-old chicks (comprising of Layer, Broiler and their own innovation Noiler) a week from its different hatcheries across Nigeria and plans to increase it by 30 percent on a year-on-year basis, to meet the growing demand for animal protein in the country.
“We believe that the development of Nigeria is a joint effort between the government and the private sector, and we must all work together to build our country.
We have made our impact felt by reaching over 1.3 million smallholder rural households with Noiler farming, empowering women, and helping to create sustainable livelihoods. We believe that Noiler birds can play a vital role in ensuring food security in Nigeria and other African countries.”
Amo Farm Sieberer Hatchery Limited (AFSH) is aligned with the objective of this year’s International Day for Poverty Eradication, also known as End Poverty Day, which is celebrated on October with the theme “Decent Work and Social Protection: Putting dignity in practice for all.” AFSH is committed to providing rural women with access to decent work and social protection through its Noiler farming program.
Oduntan believes that Noiler farming can play a vital role in achieving this goal, as it is a low-cost, high-return enterprise that can provide women with a sustainable income, access to protein, and improved livelihoods.
Launched in 2014 after several years of research and development through a selective breeding process, the Noiler bird is a dual-purpose bird that is similar in appearance and taste to the native chicken but is more resistant to field diseases and produces four times more eggs and three times more meat. Raising Noiler birds requires minimal knowledge of poultry farming and low start-up costs, as the birds can also supplement their diet with farm and kitchen waste.