The poultry industry must rise again
The poultry industry in Ghana had, in the past, provided hope for many small, medium and large-scale farmers.
Such was the potential of the industry that individuals and educational institutions kept a few birds in their backyard to supplement their meat intake and as a source of revenue to support the family and students.
At Independence, the government itself, seeing the potential of the industry, set up state poultry farms, the principal among them being the Pomadze Farms.
The interest in and support for the sector were in the form of expanded infrastructure such as feed mills and the production of day-old chicks and many individuals and institutions went into the poultry industry.
It was thought that the industry would continue to grow to a point where Ghana could become an exporter of poultry products.
Unfortunately, the situation could not be sustained and from the good days of the early 1990s when Ghana could produce about 80 per cent of its poultry needs, the figure has now dwindled to a paltry 10 per cent, according to figures available at the Ministry of Food and Agriculture.
The high cost of production, resulting from the cost of drugs and feed, inefficient production methods, as well as the unbridled trade liberalisation, which allows the importation of cheap poultry products, have contributed to the dire situation of the poultry industry.
That is why we at the Daily Graphic were happy to hear from the Deputy Minister of Agriculture in charge of Livestock that the ministry would begin a strict enforcement of the poultry and livestock policy, which puts a cap on the quantity of poultry products an importer is allowed to bring into the country.
The full enforcement of the policy, we believe, will help in ensuring the rise of the industry.
While we are at it, we suggest the introduction of higher tariffs to deter businessmen from importing frozen chicken, some of which may even have expired shelf life.
Again, more hope has been given the poultry industry with the announcement by President Mahama that the government is increasing support to the industry to enable farmers to produce for the local industry and for export.
Speaking during a visit to the Akate Farms at Bosore in the Kwabre East District, President Mahama said it was unthinkable to see the collapse of the industry when there was potential to exceed local demand.
How true this is!
This, no doubt, is a pointer to a certain level of determination to ensure that the poultry industry is revived. We do not expect this to be mere political talk.
We have seen large poultry businesses such as Pomadze, Glamour Farms and Farm Vivian rise and fall. We are hopeful that every effort will be made by both the government and the private sector to ensure that the progress being made by Akate Farms and others in the industry will be sustained.
With the state spending US$270 million on the importation of poultry products, Ghana will be better off if we spent part of this amount to support the local poultry industry.
