Cargill & Heifer International to Improve Nutritional Security of 100 Million through Backyard Poultry

The US food major Cargill on 25^th March 2019 collaborated with global charity Heifer International to start an initiative aimed at improving livelihood and nutritional security of millions of people across the globe by promoting poultry.

Under the Hatching Hope Global Initiative, they plan to help around 100 million people by 2030 by means of production, promotion & consumption of poultry. In the beginning, the venture will target women smallholder farmers in India, Kenya and Mexico, according to a press statement.

In India, the task will be first taken up in Mayurbhanj in Odisha. The preliminary phase of Hatching Hope in India will basically concentrate on improving the nutrition and income of around 1.7 million people via backyard poultry farming and improved consumption of poultry products. Farmers will be linked to markets and equipped with the goods as well as services that they require to become successful members in the poultry value chain, it added.

Managing Director of Cargill’s animal nutrition business in India, Imre Havasi said, “In India, communities will benefit from this scheme which will tackle poverty and malnutrition through access to efficient animal agriculture & high-quality protein diet. Cargill, with this project, is helping transform smallholder farmers into highly productive & successful entrepreneurs who can lift their families & communities out of poverty. The programme will directly benefit 30,000 women farmers in Mayurbhanj”.

Country Director of Heifer India, Avni Malhotra said, “Through the Hatching Hope, we are investing in smart, resourceful women farmers, working with them to enhance their products & access new markets”.