Afrimash Introduces USSD Code to Combat Fake Poultry Products
Afrimash, an agritech company, has launched a new USSD service designed to help poultry farmers verify the authenticity of day-old chicks before making a purchase, using just a basic mobile phone. This innovation aims to prevent farmers, particularly those in rural areas, from falling victim to counterfeit and low-quality products.
In a statement on Monday, Afrimash explained that the service, developed with support from the global non-profit organization Acumen, will help thousands of poultry farmers confirm that their chicks are sourced from certified hatcheries. This move is expected to reduce the financial losses caused by fake or sick birds.
Ayoade Oyedotun, CEO of Afrimash, hailed the launch as a significant step forward for the agricultural sector. “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,” he said.
In addition to verifying chicks’ authenticity, the platform allows farmers to place orders for high-quality chicks, track their purchases, compare prices, and access vaccination guides. Every order placed through the platform also qualifies for free nationwide shipping to any of Afrimash’s 80 pick-up centres across Nigeria, 35 of which are directly managed by the company.
Afrimash is also driving awareness for the new service through its Farmer Ambassador Programme, encouraging individuals and agricultural enthusiasts to spread the word. This initiative is part of Afrimash’s broader mission to digitize access to farm inputs and provide farmers with tools to improve productivity. The company is also utilizing mobile channels to offer agricultural consultancy services and monthly webinars on poultry management and best practices.
