Hubbard launches poultry initiative with African partners

AFRICA – Hubbard, a multinational poultry genetics company, has partnered with WAFAD Group in Ghana and Maëva Group in Mozambique to roll out a five-year initiative that seeks to strengthen small-scale farming in rural areas.

The project, backed by funding from the Gates Foundation, focuses on the introduction of dual-purpose chickens, which can be raised for both meat and egg production.

Over the course of the program, about 10 million birds are expected to be distributed to 500,000 farmers across the two countries, with priority given to women and youth who are often excluded from larger-scale agricultural networks.

In Ghana, the initiative has been branded as “Chicken4U,” while in Mozambique it will operate under the name “Caferial Chicken.”

A key part of the project involves the creation of more than 4,000 small brooder units, the expansion of hatchery capacity, and improved access to affordable feed and vaccines, which organizers say are essential to building resilient poultry systems.

Training sessions and veterinary support will also be provided to participating farmers, with the goal of improving flock survival rates and enabling consistent household income.

According to Hubbard Managing Director Olivier Rochard, the program is structured around strengthening local supply chains and embedding technical knowledge within communities rather than relying solely on external resources.

The initiative sets out several targets, including reaching half a million households, ensuring the distribution of 10 million chickens, and promoting income growth through micro-enterprises led by women and young people.

Organizers also highlight the nutritional aspect of the plan, noting that improved access to eggs and chicken meat can help address malnutrition in underserved regions.

At the same time, the involvement of local agribusiness partners is expected to expand their operational capacity through training and knowledge-sharing from Hubbard’s technical teams.

Beyond immediate goals, the partners have positioned the program as part of a long-term shift toward sustainable poultry production in sub-Saharan Africa.

The Gates Foundation has linked the initiative to its wider objective of facilitating the production of 200 million day-old chicks annually across the region.

Through this approach, the foundation and its collaborators hope to establish poultry ecosystems that remain viable and profitable long after the initial funding period ends.

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