Fourteen youths trained in poultry farming under the Youth Agricultural Entrepreneurs Programme (YAGEP) of the Delta State Job and Wealth Creation Programme have been empowered with 7,000-day-old broilers to start their own poultry enterprises.

The 14 beneficiaries, who are called ‘Green YAGEPreneurs’ each got 500  day-old broilers. This is separate from the support packages earlier given to them by the state government in preparation for the commencement of their poultry operations.

The empowerment exercise took place after the beneficiaries completed their three-month training in poultry business and management under the YAGEP. The chief job and wealth creation officer of the state, Eric Eboh, a professor, made the disclosure at the Delta State Rural Development Agency (DARDA), Ibusa, venue for distribution of the day-old chicks to beneficiaries in Asaba environs.

He listed the establishment package for each beneficiary to include a 500-capacity poultry pen at maturity; 500-day old broilers; 145 bags of feeds given in tranches to avoid expiration; 20 adult drinkers, 20 adult feeders, 10 baby feeders and 10 baby drinkers; a roll of 15kg black nylon for brooding; provision of vaccines at different doses; 4 stoves and trainings.

He said the delivery and distribution were carried out in the night/early hours of the morning to protect the chicks from the harsh intensity of the sun, in order to keep them stable and avoid mortality. Business Day