Ghana’s poultry industry got a big boost with the launch of the “Nkoko Nketenkete” agricultural flagship programme initiated by President John Dramani Mahama in Kumasi yesterday.
The programme, which is critical to the government’s resetting agenda, is in fulfilment of the President’s campaign promise to ensure that thousands of commercial and household poultry farmers from across the nation benefit from the initiative, which is expected to create jobs and reduce the importation of poultry products in Ghana.
President John Dramani Mahama, at the ground-breaking event, disclosed that the initiative had been piloted in 13 districts before the national roll out for 13,000 beneficiaries.
According to him, 50 anchor poultry farmers would receive 80,000 birds, logistics and technical support, while 4 million birds would be supplied to 500 Small and Medium scale poultry farmers. Also, 3 million birds will be going to 60,000 household poultry farmers nationwide with feed, logistics and technical support.
He said the “Nkoko Nketenkete” initiative was a national effort to avoid food scarcity and sustain livelihood under a national plan for agriculture transformation.
It will also help the country to move away from over reliance on imports of over $300 million annually.
He said government was poised to reverse this trend and that Ghanaians must consume what is produced locally, with the hope that local production which stands at 12% will increase to 75% by 2028.
President Mahama said increased production would be accompanied by efficient processing and marketing to help boost the poultry industry.
He said 3 million birds would be distributed across 276 constituencies under the household poultry farmers with each constituency receiving 10,000 birds.
The President assured that the government will provide enabling environment for the successful implementation of the initiative.
According to him, success of the programme would depend on collective efforts of Ghanaians and urged traditional leaders to champion the ideals of the initiative in their localities and help grow the local poultry industry.
Meanwhile, the President has directed that the Ministry of Finance releases about GHC300 million to the Buffer Stock for the purchase of maize to rescue maize farmers.
He also said that the School Feeding Secretariat (SFP) would now have to add eggs to meals for the children under the SFP.
The Minister for Food and Agriculture, Mr. Eric Opoku, who is also the Member of Parliament for Asutifi South, said the initiative would help cushion the over $300 million used for the importation of chicken from China, the Netherlands, Brazil and the USA.
The Agric Minister disclosed that out of the 324,000 tons of chicken consumed in 2022, only 15,000 tons (4.6%) were produced locally with 95% being imported.
He noted that India recorded 37% of its total poultry production from backyard poultry and hoped Ghana could emulate this as a major tool for employment and grow the industry.
The Ashanti Regional Minister, Dr. Frank Amoakohene, said 470,000 birds are expected to be distributed to various poultry groups with each constituency and registered household poultry farmer getting10,000 and 50 birds respectively.
The Asafohene and Otumfuo’s Akwamuhene, Achamfuour Asafo Boakye Agyemang Bonsu, who represented the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II at the launch, expected that the programme would engage the youth in employment and that it would not be a nine day wonder.
