Government to build new poultry processing centre

Ghana’s government will establish a poultry processing centre with a private investor. The facility aims to create a ready market for poultry farmers nationwide. This initiative addresses challenges faced by beneficiaries of the government’s “Nkoko Nkitinkiti” programme.

These farmers are struggling to find buyers for their birds after production. The Minister for Food and Agriculture, Eric Opoku, confirmed this new partnership. The processing centre will help farmers sell their matured birds, which is a major problem currently.

This move highlights government efforts to boost local agriculture and reduce reliance on imported food. Ghana's poultry sector has faced stiff competition from foreign imports for years. Increasing local processing capacity is crucial for the industry's growth and sustainability. This aligns with broader national strategies to strengthen food security and create jobs in the agricultural sector.

Mr. Opoku revealed details about the project during an interview on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen show. He stated that the government and a private partner will jointly fund the processing centre. This integrated approach will also include a hatchery to produce chicks.

The Minister said, “Now the Nkoko Nkitinkiti, some people are calling me that the poultry have grown and they want to sell but don’t get anywhere to sell it. That’s also a problem.” He added, “The Government of Ghana together with a private person is funding a project for the poultry processing centre. We will add a hatchery alongside the centre. It’s an integrated approach.”

This new centre is expected to bring significant changes to the poultry value chain. Farmers registered under the programme will link directly to the processing facility. This connection will ensure a guaranteed market for their produce, reducing post-harvest losses. Farmers in the surrounding areas will also work closely with the centre.

The establishment of this processing centre aims to encourage more people to start poultry farming. A reliable market gives farmers confidence to invest more in their businesses. This could lead to an increase in overall poultry production in Ghana. Such an increase would help meet local demand and potentially reduce the country's GHS 300 million annual expenditure on imported frozen chicken, as reported by the Ministry of Food and Agriculture earlier this year.

Moving forward, the successful implementation of this project will depend on effective collaboration. The government and the private investor must ensure transparent operations and fair pricing for farmers. The Ministry of Food and Agriculture will closely monitor the registration process and market linkages. This initiative could serve as a model for other agricultural sub-sectors in Ghana.