Ghana imports nearly $400 million worth of chicken each year, according to President John Mahama. He expressed that these imports should be a source of shame for all Ghanaians and reiterated plans to support 54 individuals in producing four million birds, which would total 10,000 metric tons of chicken. President Mahama emphasized his government’s commitment to advancing livestock development, focusing on improving cattle production as well as the production of small ruminants, such as goats and sheep. Additionally, he highlighted the importance of improving access to high-quality breeds. The President announced these initiatives during the launch of the government’s Feed Ghana Programme, a flagship initiative in Techiman, located in the Bono East Region.
The livestock production component of the program will focus on agro production enclaves and infrastructure. This includes the development of irrigation systems, improvements to road infrastructure, the provision of power supply, and the establishment of warehousing facilities to attract private investment. The President stated that the program will further enhance the production and processing of agricultural products. President Mahama also presented maize seeds, fertilizers, a Kia truck, and tractors to several institutions, including the Ghana Prisons Service and the National Service Authority, to support the implementation of the program.
He called for unity and shared commitment in transforming the nation’s agriculture, as a driver of national growth and prosperity, saying the Feed Ghana Programme presented a proactive initiative rather than just a policy. Admitting some challenges in the sector, the President said he was highly optimistic that the implementation of the programme would achieve success, and called on farmers, agribusinesses, financial institutions, and development partners to join forces for the programme to achieve desirable outcomes.
The programme aims to implement strategic measures to increase food production, promote the adoption of modern farming techniques, improve infrastructure, and establish agro-industrial zones across Ghana. President Mahama said key interventions within the Feed Ghana Programme include smart agriculture, involving the establishment of farmers’ service centres nationwide.
The centres will provide essential services such as mechanization, quality inputs, financial support, market access, primary processing and training for farmers. President Mahama announced the creation of farm banks or land banks in designated irrigable zones to support young agri-entrepreneurs and contribute to the enhancement of national food production.
He said the second component of the programme, grains and legumes development, would also be focused on increasing the production of maize, rice, soya beans, and sorghum for consumption, agro-processing, and export. The third component, which is the vegetable development project or ‘Yeredua’ aimed at reducing imports from neighbouring countries by promoting the cultivation of vegetables locally.
President Mahama highlighted the importance of investing in controlled environmental farming, such as greenhouse technologies, urban and peri-urban agriculture, and promoting schools to grow their own vegetables through backyard gardening. The fourth component of the initiative will focus on promoting institutional farming to empower households and communities to cultivate vegetables such as tomatoes, peppers, and garden eggs to enhance self-sufficiency.
It will also extend support to institutions such as Senior High Schools to access lands to engage in crop production and livestock farming. The fifth component of the programme involves the revitalization of the poultry industry, known as the “Nkoko Nketenkete” project.
Source: GNA