The journey toward improving hen welfare and promoting cage-free farming practices continues to gain momentum despite challenges such as economic constraints, remote farm locations, resistance to change, and rising costs of living. Our efforts, however, have yielded remarkable progress. Here are some key achievements to date:
Milestones Achieved
Farm Visitations:
A total of 198 farms across nine states have been visited, with promising results. Of these farms, 57.6% (114 farms) are practicing cage-free farming, while 42.4% (84 farms) are still using caged systems.
Cage-Free Farm Evaluations:
An impressive 89% (102 farms) of cage-free farms have undergone detailed evaluations. This data has contributed to the creation of a comprehensive Cage-Free Farm Directory, an essential tool for connecting retailers such as supermarkets, hotels, and restaurants with cage-free egg suppliers. This directory strengthens the supply chain, making cage-free eggs more accessible.
Stakeholder Engagement:
Over 104 farmers have enrolled in our online training platform for Hen Welfare and Cage-Free Farming. This significant step forward equips farmers with the knowledge and resources to transition to cage-free systems, fostering broader adoption.
Retailer Engagement:
Our advocacy efforts have now reached 83 businesses across six states, including 28 hotels, 25 restaurants, and 30 supermarkets. To date, 71 of these businesses have committed to supporting the cage-free initiative, helping to build a robust network of cage-free egg retailers.
Upcoming Initiatives
Training Sessions:
Plans are underway to host one-day orientation sessions in seven Nigerian states. These sessions aim to engage more stakeholders and facilitate a smoother transition to cage-free farming.
Awareness Campaigns:
We are also preparing a widespread campaign to educate both retailers and consumers about the benefits of cage-free eggs. This initiative is expected to play a critical role in boosting consumer demand and retailer support for cage-free products.
Stay tuned for more updates as we continue our mission to enhance hen welfare and promote a shift toward cage-free farming systems.