Poultry production in Ghana has great potential and value for national development. Presently, the consumption of chicken in the country is around 13kg per capita annually, and it accounts for 14 percent of the country’s total gross domestic product.
In Ghana and other West African countries, chicken continues to remain the main source of protein preferred by consumers. Although chicken production is growing significantly in recent years, it is not sufficiently developed to supply the country’s domestic demand. Ghana imports chicken meat from the Netherlands, Poland, the United States and Belgium.
To reverse this situation, Agrihouse Foundation has, in three years, been supporting the efforts of stakeholders to promote the sector, modernise it, and bring attention to its needs through the Ghana Chicken Festival.
The annual festival was an initiated partnership with the Ghana Poultry Project. It is focused on advocating for the patronage and consumption of locally produced poultry, value chain products as well as promoting the nutritional benefits of consuming locally-bred poultry. In the last three years, the full-day event has educated over two hundred participants on the nutritional benefits that come with consuming local poultry – they have fewer toxins and less fat as well great amount of Vitamin D. Participants have been made aware of the anti-cancer properties and less cholesterol that locally-produced poultries possess.
Through the festival, many Ghanaians have been sensitised on the safety, best practices, nutritional levels and benefits of locally-bred chicken. The festival also aims to increase markets for farmers and expose households to chicken meal recipes.
Ahead of this year’s event scheduled for Saturday, July 1, the Executive Director of Agrihouse Foundation – Alberta Nana Akyaa Akosa, has noted that Ghana Chicken Festival is more than a family day out. She said although the event is presented as a fun day which makes room for learning, entertaining activities and sampling of chicken meals, the ultimate agenda of the festival is to utilise the power of decision-makers and influencers within our communities to champion growth and acceptance of our locally-bred chicken.
In light of this intention, the festival has created strong market linkages and opportunities for poultry producers and marketers. It has created a high level of awareness for poultry farmers, encouraged the purchase and consumption of locally-produced poultry, and contributed successfully in educating households of the advantages of eating our chicken. Poultry farmers who attend the event received training on quality standards, packaging and appropriate practices in meeting today’s demanding market, while the over 200 families who have participated over the last 2 years have been able to learn new chicken recipes.
“As we are all aware, the consumption of chicken in the country accounts for 14 percent of the country’s total gross domestic product. Two years ago, over 500,000 crates of eggs went bad in Dormaa due to limited markets. Presently, the country is experiencing scarcity due to the collapse of a number of poultry farms,” she said in a press statement. This and more forms part of the reasons why collectively, we need interventions – such as the Ghana Chicken Festival – to sustain, project and contribute to a steady revival and growth of the sector, she added.
The foundation is set to launch this year’s event on Wednesday, May 10, in Accra at the GNAT Hall. Dignitaries – including the Deputy Minister for Livestock, Alhaji Hardi Tufeiru; the Kenyan Ambassador to Ghana, H.E Eliphas Barine; the Burkina Faso Ambassador to Ghana, Ambassador SEM SANOU Pierre S – are expected to be at the launch. The rest are the Chairman of NFFAWAG – Mr. David Korboe Davies Narh Korboe; CEO of Boris B Group of Companies, Dr. Boris Baidoo; the National Chairman of Ghana National Association of Poultry Farmers (GNAPF), Mr. Victor Oppong Adjei (VOA-LYS ), among others.
Challenges crippling Ghana’s poultry sector
High cost of production: One of the most significant challenges that the poultry industry faces in Ghana is the high cost of production. The cost of inputs, such as feed, vaccines and medication, has risen significantly in recent years, making it difficult for poultry farmers to operate profitably. The high cost of production is further exacerbated by the lack of access to credit facilities, which makes it challenging for farmers to invest in modern technologies and equipment that can help reduce their production costs.
Disease outbreaks: Poultry farmers in Ghana are plagued by disease outbreaks that can decimate their flock and result in significant financial losses. Diseases, such as avian influenza, Newcastle disease and infectious bronchitis, are prevalent in the country and the lack of adequate veterinary services and poor biosecurity measures exacerbate the problem. Many small-scale farmers lack the knowledge and resources to implement appropriate biosecurity measures, leaving their flock vulnerable to disease outbreaks.
Lack of processing facilities: Another significant challenge that the poultry sector faces in Ghana is the lack of processing facilities. Most poultry farmers in Ghana are small-scale producers who lack the resources to establish their own processing plants. This means that they have to rely on third-party processors who often charge high fees, reducing their profit margins. The lack of processing facilities also makes it difficult for farmers to add value to their products, limiting their potential for growth and profitability.
High importation of poultry products: Ghana’s poultry industry faces stiff competition from imported poultry products, which are often cheaper than locally-produced poultry. The high importation of poultry products is partly due to the lack of a level playing field in the industry as many imported products are often subsidised by their countries of origin. The lack of stringent import regulations also makes it easy for sub-standard products to flood the Ghanaian market, further exacerbating the problem.
Poor infrastructure: The poultry sector in Ghana suffers from poor infrastructure, which makes it difficult for farmers to transport their products to market. The lack of good roads and transport facilities means that farmers often have to travel long distances to reach markets, increasing their transportation costs and reducing their profit margins. Poor infrastructure also limits the potential for growth and expansion of the sector as it makes it difficult for new entrants to establish their businesses in remote areas.
Lack of government support: Finally, the poultry industry in Ghana suffers from a lack of government support. Although the government has implemented some policies to support the sector – such as tax breaks and subsidies for inputs that include feed, much more needs to be done. The lack of a comprehensive policy framework and the absence of targetted interventions to address the challenges faced by the industry limits its potential for growth and development.
Improving Ghana’s poultry sector with innovative measures
One innovative approach that could help transform the poultry sector in Ghana is the adoption of modern technology. Technology can help to improve poultry management practices, reduce disease outbreaks, and increase productivity. For instance, the use of mobile applications and other digital tools can help farmers monitor their flock more effectively, track feed and water consumption, and identify potential health issues before they become significant problems. Additionally, farmers can use technology to access market information, connect with buyers, and negotiate better prices for their products.
Another way to improve the poultry sector is by promoting the adoption of sustainable and environmentally friendly practices. Ghana has a rich agricultural heritage, and it is essential to maintain the sustainability of its resources to ensure long-term food security. Sustainable practices can include the use of renewable energy sources, such as solar panels to power poultry farms, the use of organic fertilisers, and the implementation of integrated pest management strategies that minimise the use of harmful chemicals. These practices not only protect the environment, but also improve the quality of poultry products and promote the health of consumers.
Access to finance is another significant challenge facing poultry farmers in Ghana. Many farmers struggle to access the capital needed to invest in their businesses, leading to limited growth and development. To address this issue, innovative financing models can be developed that provide poultry farmers with access to capital without requiring collateral. For instance, crowdfunding platforms can be used to raise capital for poultry projects, with investors receiving a share of the profits in return. Additionally, microfinance institutions can provide small loans to farmers, which can be used to purchase inputs – such as feed, chicks and vaccines.
Marketing is another challenge facing the poultry sector in Ghana. Many farmers struggle to access markets and find buyers for their products. One way to address this issue is by promoting value-added products that can attract higher prices. For instance, farmers can process their poultry products into sausages or other products which can be sold at a premium price. Additionally, partnerships can be formed with restaurants, hotels and other food service providers to supply high-quality poultry products directly to consumers.
Finally, training and capacity-building are critical to improving the poultry sector in Ghana. Many farmers lack the knowledge and skills needed to manage their businesses effectively, leading to poor performance and low productivity. To address this issue, training programmes can be developed that provide farmers with the skills and knowledge needed to manage their farms more efficiently. These programmes can cover topics, such as poultry nutrition, disease prevention and management as well as marketing and business management.
