Kaduna farmers get boost as Pullus Africa, partners pay ₦4 million in claims

• Over 30,000 poultry farmers were trained across Kaduna, Nasarawa, and Abuja through the Pullus Innovative Financing programme in partnership with Heifer International Nigeria and Leadway Assurance
• Out of these, 166 farmers received financial support, leading to improved bird production and a 27% increase in average bird weight
• At the payout ceremony, 26 farmers received ₦4 million in insurance claims, showcasing the programme’s success and sustainability

Over 50 poultry farmers and stakeholders gathered in Kaduna for a landmark insurance payout ceremony organised by Pullus Africa, in partnership with Heifer International Nigeria and Leadway Assurance.

The event, which was held on Wednesday, June 11, celebrated the success of the pilot phase of the Pullus Innovative Financing (PIF) programme, a tech-driven agricultural financing model aimed at de-risking poultry farming.

The PIF initiative, launched in 2024, emerged from the Poultry Supply Chain De-risking Project (POSDERP), a collaboration between Pullus and Heifer. Through the project, 30,000 farmers were trained across Kaduna, Nasarawa, and Abuja, with 166 receiving financial support and 26 benefiting from insurance claims.

The key achievements include: the disbursement of ₦76 million for poultry feed financing, production of nearly 30,000 birds in the pilot cycle, the payment of ₦4 million to 26 of 28 eligible farmers (a 92% claim success rate) and a 27% increase in average bird weight.

“This programme has given me peace of mind,” said farmer Bitrus Nasa, who rebuilt his business after losing 90 birds in a previous cycle.

Pullus CEO and co-founder Opeoluwa Fayomi shed light on the programme's focus on integrating financing, training, market access, and insurance. Pullus co-founder and CTO Abisoye Odeyemi announced new features in the Pullus app, enabling farmers to upload vaccination records and automate insurance claims.

Heifer International’s Onyekachi Ayevbuomwan and Leadway Assurance’s Dr. Ese underscored the role of strategic partnerships and simplified processes in enhancing farmer confidence and claim efficiency.

Director of Veterinary Services at the Kaduna State Ministry of Agriculture, Dr. Zakariah Pakachi, endorsed the initiative, expressing how it aligns with the state’s agricultural agenda under Governor Uba Sani. “Agriculture should not be a gamble, but a guaranteed path to prosperity,” he stated.

The ceremony also witnessed a call for greater collaboration and long-term sustainability, including farmer contributions to future premiums.

“We’re not just supporting 166 farmers, we’re proving a model that can transform Nigeria’s poultry industry,” added event host and Pullus COO Titilayo Ekundayo.

Nigeria's livestock ministry holds workshop to tackle farmer-herder conflicts

Earlier, TheRadar reported that the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development (FMLD), in collaboration with the Strengthening Peace and Resilience in Nigeria (SPRiNG) programme, intensified efforts to address the escalating farmer-herder conflicts in Nigeria through a high-level workshop aimed at refining the Ministry's five-year strategic plan.

The workshop, held on Thursday, March 6, brought together key stakeholders from government ministries, peace commissions, civil society, academia, and international development partners. 

The event focused on developing inclusive, conflict-sensitive strategies to improve the security and productivity of Nigeria's livestock sector.