As Ethiopia hosts the UN Food Systems Summit Stocktake in Addis Ababa, a youth‑led poultry initiative on the outskirts of the capital is helping curb rising food prices. Launched in June 2024 in the Fury district, this grassroots model empowers unemployed youth to operate small‑scale chicken farms, selling eggs and live birds at significantly lower rates than conventional markets.

Affordable Food, Local Impact

Organized into more than 20 youth associations, the farms receive support from local authorities to raise chickens and supply eggs affordably to the community. A live bird that previously sold for up to *৳4,422.60 (≈ \$36)* now goes for as little as *৳2,211.30 (≈ \$18)* depending on size. Eggs are similarly priced for festive exhibitions and local bazaars. Job creation officer Sanbat Lumi explains that the project addresses both food affordability and youth unemployment: “We’ve been able to produce chicken and eggs in mass by organizing our unemployed youths,” supplying residents with essential nutrition and multiple sources of income.

A Grassroots Model Aligned with UN Goals

Though not formally part of the UN summit agenda, these youth‑run “Sheagga” farms embody the kind of local innovation the event seeks to showcase. The initiative provides relief for families facing high food prices while offering young people sustainable livelihoods. Its success highlights how community-led action can align with broader sustainability and food security objectives. As Ethiopia grapples with inflation, this poultry farming model offers a promising path forward—one that other regions could replicate to address similar challenges.