The Call for Government Aid in Ghana's Poultry Sector
Encourage poultry feed subsidies to prevent the stagnation of the industry - Poultry farmers' plea
Let's dish about the pinch poultry farmers in northern Ghana are facing, shall we? They've got their batons up, crying out for government intervention to prop up local poultry businesses. The Northern Regional Chairman of the Poultry Farmers Association of Ghana, George Dassah, has pleaded for a swift response from the authorities to avoid stunting the industry's growth.
Dassah points the finger at several concerns plaguing the sector, including insufficient funding, infections, and a scarcity of market for the fowl, particularly during these pandemic times. He also slams the emphasis on importing poultry products into the nation, claiming these imports are artificially cheap due to subsidies from exporting countries, creating a dumping ground in African nations.
Apart from the lack of political will from successive governments, high-interest rates on loans, high-priced inputs, unrestrained frozen chicken imports courtesy of trade liberalization, and poultry sicknesses like the bird flu, are other barriers stifling the poultry industry's growth and development in the North.
These hurdles have left many poultry farms in the Northern region gathering dust, as farmers are forced to shutter businesses due to the hefty costs associated with inputs. The association urges custom-made credit facilities for poultry farmers, as well as incentives that motivate farmers to ramp up production.
The poultry industry is a burgeoning force in agricultural sub-sectors, particularly in developing countries. Touting a whopping market value, this sector could be a game-changer for economies willing to put some effort into it. Poultry contributes to food security, offering energy, protein, and essential micronutrients to people. Moreover, it boasts quick production cycles and the ability to recycle various agri-food by-products and wastes into edible meat and eggs for human consumption.
However, the sector swallows massive amounts of land, water, and nutrients for feed material production and contributes to climate change, primarily through feed production, air and water pollution. The global poultry sector is projected to keep growing as demand for meat and eggs is driven by population growth, rising incomes, and urbanization. In the current scenario, the sector is grappling with unprecedented challenges.
Now, let's shift focus and talk about the heat poultry farmers in Ghana are dealing with. High feed costs, intensified by the cedi's appreciation, pose a significant threat to local farms[5]. Overabundance of subsidized poultry imports, flooding the market and undermining domestic products, adds insult to injury[1]. Market pressure on businesses like Darko Farms, once industry powerhouses, and the plea for state support to revitalize their operations, solidify the case for aid[4].
To soothe the burn on poultry farmers, initiatives like the Feed Ghana Programme and the Poultry Industry Revitalisation Project offer input subsidies, such as discounted animal feed, to reduce the financial strain of feed costs[2][3]. The formation of farmer cooperatives for better access to loans, high-yield breeds, and educational resources can help manage costs more effectively, boosting productivity[2][3]. Establishing market linkages to negotiate better prices and long-term contracts with institutional buyers strengthens financial security for farmers[2][3].
Advocacy for policy changes that could help lower input costs and protect local production is another step in the right direction[5]. Be it price reductions for feed or support for domestic producers, dialogue is essential. Lastly, offering training in modern farm management and digital agriculture can help farmers optimize operations, reduce their reliance on costly inputs, and become more efficient[2][3].
- The Northern Regional Chairman of the Poultry Farmers Association of Ghana, George Dassah, has expressed concerns about the growth of local poultry businesses due to a scarcity of market, insufficient funding, and poultry sicknesses.
- The poultry sector, despite its potential to contribute significantly to food security and economic development, faces challenges such as high feed costs, abundant subsidized poultry imports, and climate change issues.
- To address these challenges, initiatives like the Feed Ghana Programme and the Poultry Industry Revitalisation Project offer input subsidies and form farmer cooperatives for better access to loans, high-yield breeds, and educational resources.
- The Poultry Farmers Association of Ghana urges custom-made credit facilities and incentives to motivate farmers to ramp up production, and calls for policy changes to protect local production and lower input costs.
