Nkoko Nketenkete initiative brings hope to KEEA: Farmers receive 10,000 chickens

EXciTEMENT and renewed hope filled the air at Dompoase in the Komenda-Edina-Eguafo-Abrem (KEEA) Municipality of the Central Region as dozens of residents gathered to receive broiler chickens under the government’s Nkoko Nketenkete initiative last week Tuesday to commence their poultry farms.

The municipality received an initial allocation of 10,000 broiler chickens to be distributed among interested farmers.

Two hundred residents received 45 broiler chickens each under the initiative to commence their poultry enterprises.

The Nkoko Nketenkete initiative, a flagship agricultural programme introduced by President John Dramani Mahama to boost local poultry production and create employment opportunities, is also to enhance food security and reduce the country’s reliance on imported poultry products.

The Central Regional Secretary of the Poultry Farmers Association, Eric Essel, on behalf of the association, expressed its support towards the initiative and encouraged beneficiaries to take the training seriously and seek professional guidance whenever necessary.

He emphasised that poultry farming remained a profitable venture when managed properly and urged beneficiaries to remain committed to the enterprise.

“There is money in poultry farming and if you stay focused and manage the birds well, you will not regret entering this business,” he stated.

The Municipal Director of Agriculture for the KEEA Municipality, Victoria Abankwah, explained that before the distribution, the birds were placed under the care of Maglindoh Sunnyside Farms for four weeks to ensure proper brooding and survival during the most delicate stage of their growth.

According to her, the performance of the farm exceeded expectations, as very small number of the birds died during the brooding period, an outcome she described as remarkable.

She commended the management of the farm for their dedication and professionalism, noting that their efforts demonstrated the importance of proper animal husbandry in ensuring the success of agricultural programmes.

Advice

She advised beneficiaries to strictly adhere to the technical instructions provided during their training, emphasising that monitoring teams would regularly visit farms to assess how the birds were being managed and warned that beneficiaries who failed to take proper care of the animals risked losing them.

“If we realise that someone is not taking good care of the birds or is ignoring the guidance provided, we will retrieve the birds and give them to someone who is ready to manage them responsibly,” she warned.

Gratitude

The Farm Manager of the Maglindoh Sunnyside Farms, Justice Amaquandoh, expressed appreciation to the municipal authorities and the Department of Agriculture for the confidence reposed in the farm to manage the birds during the brooding period.

He explained that the farm implemented all necessary health and safety measures, including vaccination, feeding and proper environmental management to ensure the birds remained healthy before distribution.

He also acknowledged the consistent support and supervision provided by agricultural officers and municipal authorities, noting that their regular visits and technical guidance helped address challenges promptly.

Mr Amaquandoh further used the opportunity to provide additional practical training to beneficiaries, reinforcing earlier lessons on poultry management.

Although participants previously received training, he said the refresher session was necessary to remind them of the essential “dos and don’ts” of poultry farming, particularly in areas such as feeding, sanitation, disease prevention and record-keeping.

KEEA Assembly

The Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for KEEA, Ismail Zagoon Saeed, assured beneficiaries that the assembly would work closely with the Ministry of Food and Agriculture to monitor the progress of the initiative and ensure its long-term success.

He advised beneficiaries to reinvest proceeds from the sale of the broilers into purchasing layer birds so that they could sustain their businesses and gradually expand their operations.

According to him, the long-term vision of the municipality was to establish a vibrant poultry sector capable of reducing Ghana’s dependence on imported chicken products, while creating jobs for local residents.