The Minister for Food and Agriculture, Eric Opoku, has announced that the government’s flagship Nkoko Nkitinkiti programme is set to enter its second phase, following what he described as the successful implementation of the household poultry production component.
Briefing Parliament on the progress of the initiative and later speaking to journalists, the Minister said the next phase would focus on commercial poultry production to boost domestic output and reduce Ghana’s dependence on imported chicken.
According to him, the household phase attracted encouraging participation and has demonstrated the potential for expanding poultry production on a larger commercial scale.
Mr Opoku said government intends to use the programme to rebuild the local poultry industry, create jobs, improve household nutrition and strengthen food security.
He noted that Ghana spends an estimated US$350 million annually importing frozen chicken and said the commercial phase is expected to help reduce that import bill while conserving foreign exchange.
The Minister explained that the expansion would also stimulate investment across the poultry value chain, including hatcheries, feed production, processing, cold storage, transportation, packaging and marketing.
He said the initiative forms part of government’s broader import-substitution strategy aimed at increasing local production, supporting agribusiness and creating employment opportunities, particularly for women and young people.
Mr Opoku expressed confidence that the commercial phase would strengthen Ghana’s poultry industry and contribute to the country’s economic development through increased local production and value addition.
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