In a bold move to curb the menace of adulterated day-old chicks in Nigeria’s poultry industry, leading agritech firm Afrimash has launched a dedicated USSD code, *349*791#, aimed at empowering farmers to verify the authenticity of their chicks and access premium poultry products — all without the need for internet access.
Developed in collaboration with global non-profit Acumen, the USSD platform represents a significant leap in the fight against substandard poultry products, a persistent challenge that has cost farmers millions in losses and productivity.
A Simple Solution to a Growing Problem
For years, Nigerian poultry farmers have grappled with the growing threat of adulterated chicks, often purchased unknowingly from unverified sources. The new 349791# code offers a user-friendly and mobile-based verification process that ensures chicks come directly from certified hatcheries.
Speaking at the official unveiling, Afrimash CEO Ayoade Oyedotun hailed the initiative as a transformative tool for Nigerian agriculture.
“Poultry farmers have endured massive losses due to the circulation of adulterated day-old chicks,” Oyedotun said. “With this USSD solution, we are offering a simple, reliable, and accessible way for farmers to confirm that their purchases come directly from certified hatcheries.”
More Than Verification: Seamless Order and Delivery Process
Beyond quality assurance, the *349*791# platform offers a complete purchase and logistics solution. Farmers can not only verify chick authenticity but also place orders for premium chicks that qualify for free nationwide shipping to over 80 designated pick-up centers across Nigeria — 35 of which are operated directly by Afrimash.
For added convenience, farmers can also opt for home delivery at an additional fee.
The platform is further enriched with features such as:
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A chick vaccination guide for better poultry health.
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Real-time product availability updates.
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Price comparison tools.
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Order tracking for a streamlined purchasing experience.
Expanding Access and Farmer Support
Afrimash has also introduced an Ambassador Program to spread awareness and encourage adoption of the USSD platform among poultry farmers. Interested individuals can join the campaign by reaching out via chicksmart@afrimash.com.
To incentivize early adoption, first-time users can receive a ₦1,000 discount on their initial order by using the referral code ‘2025’ when they dial *349*791#.
“Our goal is to connect farmers to quality inputs quickly and conveniently using digital tools while also building their digital identities to improve their access to finance,” said Oyedotun.
Afrimash is also scaling its farmer support offerings by delivering agricultural consultancy services via mobile and organizing monthly webinars that provide expert guidance on poultry management and farm productivity.
Driving Market Linkages for Poultry Farmers
In addition to its work in the hatchery space, Afrimash is leveraging its digital platforms to bridge the gap between farmers and quality offtakers, providing broader market visibility for poultry products and increasing farmer incomes.
With the launch of *349*791#, Afrimash is not just launching a USSD code — it’s laying the groundwork for a more transparent, productive, and farmer-friendly poultry sector in Nigeria.
