In a move to revolutionize Nigeria’s poultry industry, an agritech company, Afrimash has launched a USSD solution that enables farmers to verify the authenticity of day-old chicks before making a purchase through the use of their mobile phones.
The new service, accessible via *349*791#, which was developed with support from global non-profit organization “Acumen” and offers a practical and accessible tool for thousands of poultry farmers, especially those in rural areas, who have suffered for years from the circulation of adulterated and poor-quality chicks.
In addition, the platform gives farmers the power to confirm that their chicks are sourced from certified hatcheries, potentially saving them from devastating financial losses caused by fake or sick birds.
Speaking on the innovative feat by his company, the Chief Executive Officer, Ayoade Oyedotun, described the launch as a breakthrough moment for the agricultural sector.
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He said: “Poultry farmers have endured enough losses due to counterfeit and substandard chicks. This USSD platform gives them control, confidence, and access to quality — all from the comfort of their phones.”
Oyedotun maintained that in addition to verification, the platform allowed users to place orders for high-quality chicks, track their purchases, compare prices, and access vaccination guides.
For instance, he pointed out that every order made through the platform qualified for free nationwide shipping to any of Afrimash’s 80 pick-up centers across Nigeria, 35 of which are directly managed by the company, adding that for farmers who prefer added convenience, home delivery options are also available at an additional cost.
The industry expert hinted that Afrimash was also driving awareness through its newly launched Farmer Ambassador Programme, encouraging individuals and agri-enthusiasts to spread the word about the USSD platform in their communities. Interested participants can register via email at chicksmart@afrimash.com.
Oyedotun further clarified that as part of the rollout, first-time users will receive N1,000 off their first purchase when they dial the code and use the referral tag ‘2025’.
He described the innovation as part of the company’s broader mission to digitize access to farm inputs and provide farmers with tools that enhance productivity while also using mobile channels to deliver agricultural consultancy services and offers monthly webinars on poultry management and best practices.
