Poultry industry needs more than government intervention - Farmers

The Chief Executive Officer of the Greater Accra Poultry Farmers Association (GAPFA), Ali Muhammed, is calling for a more coordinated approach to reviving Ghana’s poultry industry.

He said government interventions alone will not solve the sector’s long-standing challenges.

Speaking during a Joy Business roundtable on Friday, July 17, 2026, he said sustainable growth in the industry depends on improving local production of key feed ingredients such as maize and soya, which account for a significant share of poultry production costs.

He noted that poor coordination between the agriculture, trade, and poultry sectors has made it difficult for farmers to access affordable raw materials, leaving local producers unable to compete with imported frozen chicken.

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According to him, poultry farmers are seeking long-term policy solutions rather than short-term interventions.

“Whenever we approach these policymakers, we are not in for freebies. We want this thing to be sustainable. But there is a lack of coordination,” he said.

He also raised concerns about weaknesses within institutions supporting the industry, including veterinary services, stressing that stronger collaboration is needed across the poultry value chain.

He said many farmers initially welcomed the government’s Nkoko Nketenkete initiative, expecting it to transform local poultry production.

However, he believes the programme has yet to address the structural issues affecting the sector.

The CEO pointed to the recent egg glut, which left many farmers struggling to find buyers, as an example of the market challenges confronting producers despite increased output.

He maintained that reducing feed costs is essential if Ghanaian poultry producers are to compete effectively with imported chicken.

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He said consumers generally prefer locally produced chicken but are often forced to choose cheaper imported alternatives due to limited disposable income.

He called for a comprehensive strategy that links maize and soya farmers, feed manufacturers, poultry producers, and markets to build a competitive and sustainable poultry industry.

DR/SA