Local poultry sector has capacity for growth
For many poultry farmers, another July 1 is here with us again and it is a much awaited day to showcase what the poultry sector in the country has at the forecourt of the State House in Accra.
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Dubbed the “Ghana chicken festival”, its focus is on advocating the patronage and consumption of locally produced chicken, poultry value chain products as well as promoting the nutritional benefits of consuming our poultry.
It is estimated that in 2021, Ghana imported $410 million in poultry meat, mainly from Netherlands ($94.9m), United States ($92.5m), Poland ($85.2m), Brazil ($44.8m), and United Kingdom ($19.6m).
This means that apart from the hard foreign currency that comes with it, it also means that we are creating thousands of jobs for the originating countries of our imports.
So, the ultimate agenda of the festival is to use decision-makers and influencers within the various communities to champion growth and acceptance of our locally bred chicken.
National day
Organiser of the festival, Agrihouse Foundation, hopes to influence authorities to make July 1 a national day for the poultry sector, which has the potential of not only addressing our nutritional needs and providing jobs at the various stages of the value chain but to reduce significantly the huge import bill of poultry.
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The festival, if accepted, would be an avenue where policy makers and operators in the space would use to brainstorm the way forward for the local poultry sector.
It is in line with this that Agrihouse Foundation is involving Members of Parliament, chief executive officers, celebrities and other influential individuals, to make impact and advocate for the local poultry sector, which easily could become a driver of employment and a cash cow for not only the farmers but the state as well.
The highlight of the day, which normally would attract attendees, will be the samplying time when prepared chicken, whether cooked, fried or roasted, is served for free, while participants also have time to socialise.
Launching the day, the Deputy Minister in charge of Livestock of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, Mohammed Hardi Tufeirua, said poultry played a vital role in human life, economic growth and social interventions but had been overlooked by many in respect of giving attention for its sustenance and development.
“I assert the fact that Ghana National Association of Poultry Farmers is the apex of poultry fraternity of value chain players whose interest are geared towards feed millers, hatchery operators, input dealers, egg sellers, among others”, he stated.
The Executive Director of Agrihouse Foundation, Alberta Nana Akyea Akosa, called on corporate organisations, international development partners and agencies to rally around and effectively continue to provide solutions to fill in the present existing gap in the national poultry supply.
Ms Akosa explained that this year's event would be the third in a roll, saying that after three years, the foundation’s goal was for the government and other stakeholders to join their ardent quest for the Ghana Chicken Festival to be nationally recognised and celebrated as the National Poultry Day.
She said as part of the celebration there would be a knowledge-sharing panel conversation of the poultry sector, value chains and opportunities for growth, chicken recipe cooking competition, chicken meat sampling and exhibitions.
Industry
The Chairman of National Farmers and Fishermen Award Winners Association (NFFAWAG), Davies Korboe, called on the government to continue to support the poultry industry as a contributor in achieving the needed food security of the country.
He further called on other stakeholders to develop policies in order to protect the industry in the country to further strengthen the poultry value chain.
“It is interesting to note that owing to these numerous challenges facing the poultry industry, about 85 per cent of the poultry farms in the country are not in operation whiles the active ones are just breaking even”, he added.
Mr Korboe said the NFFAWAG had partnered with Agrihouse Foundation and other stakeholders to promote the production, consumption and the patronage of local poultry products.
“Through our collaborative and partnership efforts over the years we have been able, through this platform, to gather over 650 participants to promote and appreciate the benefits of local poultry products to consumers.”
Challenges
The Chief Executive Officer of Boris B's Farms & Veterinary Supplies Limited, Dr Boris Baidoo, explained that the poultry industry had been bedevilled by a number of challenges over the years.
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“Though many representations were made by various stakeholders at various forums to governments, some with subsequent interventions, it is sad to note that the situation continues to deteriorate by the day,” he noted
The constraints, Dr Baidoo said, included high cost of borrowing, expensive but poor quality day old chicks, high production cost, high cost of veterinary drugs and vaccines, inadequate supply, poor quality and high cost of feed, raw materials, among others.
He said Boris B’s Farm would continue to promote the patronage and consumption of locally produced chicken over imported stock.