New poultry feed product launched
A new poultry feed has been launched to help improve chicken broiler production in the country.
The product, called ‘Chicken Protector,’ is a natural additive feed that provides chicken with essential nutrition to reduce mortality as it improves its immune system, treat diseases and enhance meat quality.
The product that was launched in Accra by an agriculture-based company, Greenlife, was attended by some stakeholders in the agriculture sector.
Challenges
The Chief Executive Officer of Greenlife, Ms Marian N.A. Solomon, said production of chicken broilers in the country was declining due to challenges confronting the industry.
She mentioned high cost of feed, high mortality rate and poor market sales as some of the challenges.
According to her, it was as a result of such difficulties that the chicken protector was introduced, adding “This product will make broiler production in Ghana less difficult because it comes with essential nutrients for the broilers,” Ms Marian added.
Commendation
An official from the Veterinary Service Department of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA), Dr William Adu, commended Greenlife for the introduction of the product onto the market.
He said “even if farmers are able to feed their birds, getting the right price during sales is a problem.
This is because frozen chicken, which are imported into the country, cost less and in order not to keep their matured chickens in pens for too long, farmers have to conform to the price on the market.”
According to Mr Adu, that situation had discouraged poultry farmers from venturing into broiler production.
He said the high importation of frozen chicken into the country indicates that “Chicken is much consumed in the country and farmers can make enough money if conditions are made favourable for them to venture into broiler production.”
The officer also advised the company to make the product readily available to farmers and also run frequent educational programmes to educate farmers on its use.