WASHINGTON – Minneapolis-based Cargill and Heifer International announced a new partnership called The Hatching Hope Global Initiative on March 21.

The plan is to improve the livelihood of 100 million people by 2030 through poultry expansion in India, Mexico and Kenya.

Hatching Hope will work with women smallholder farmers to feed their families, while also boosting the local economies and providing nutritional education to more of the world.

"Millions of people worldwide go hungry every day and lack access to nutrients they need to grow and thrive," said Chuck Warta, president of Cargill's premix and nutrition business. "While donations of food and money provide short-term relief, we can create sustainable change by teaching and sharing what we know, and helping transform subsistence farmers into productive, successful entrepreneurs who have the economic means to feed their children, send them to school and lift their families and communities out of poverty. We believe the 800 million smallholder farmers around the world need to be part of the solution to help us feed 10 billion people by 2050."

Along with education and awareness about poultry and eggs, farmers will be connected to markets and equipped with the goods and services they need to be successful participants in the poultry value chain.

"We believe that the key to ending hunger and poverty is for farmers to be able to earn a living income," said Pierre Ferrari, president and CEO of Heifer International. "Through Hatching Hope, we're investing in smart, resourceful women farmers, working with them to improve their products and access new markets. We're excited to launch Hatching Hope as it can be quickly scaled up, supporting more farmers around the world."

Two years ago, Cargill and Heifer International worked together on an initiative in China to equip 450 women-led poultry farms with chicks, training and access to nutritional expertise and other services.