Inadequate political determination hinders the progress of poultry farming sector - Northern poultry farmers' perspective
Poultry Woes: A Farmer's Plea for Government Action
George Dassah, the honcho of the Northern Poultry Farmers Association, voiced concerns over the poultry industry's struggle in Ghana, highlighting a perceived lack of political will from successive governments. Despite numerous proposals for reviving the sector, he lamented, there's little concrete progress.
"For years, our industry has been an afterthought for governments. Opposition parties talk a big game about it, but once they're in power, all chatter fades," Dassah shared in an interview with B&FT. He likened the situation to a tiresome cycle, as parties swap places and the conversation around poultry remains constant while real solutions remain elusive.
Besides the missing political will, Dassah pointed out a burdensome cost of credit, exorbitant costs of inputs, unfettered importation of frozen chicken due to trade liberalization, and poultry diseases like bird flu as key obstacles.
To breathe life back into the poultry sector, farmers clamor for the government to establish a policy framework that protects the industry and offers subsidies, much like in the United States and the European Union. They also urged the government to reduce the cost of credit and curb the inflow of frozen chicken which poses significant challenges for local broiler farmers.
Dassah argued that by supporting the poultry sector, Ghana could see an upward shift in employment, production, and health benefits from consuming locally-produced broiler chicken. Moreover, the government could rake in revenue from the local poultry sector to fund other developments and conserve foreign exchange, strengthening the Ghana cedi. Also, diminished crime rates could be expected, as more youth find gainful employment in the industry.
"Any political party that actively pushes policies for poultry growth has our vote," Dassah declared. He implored the leaders to translate their concern for Ghana into action, "Don't just read the word; be the doers."
Dassah expressed apprehension over the numerous idle poultry structures left in the wake of farm collapses due to high costs of input.
To offer some context, the Ghanaian government is currently focusing on policies and initiatives to boost the growth of the poultry sector. Priority areas include supporting farmers' cooperatives, input financing and subsidies, access to credit and financial services, training, and market linkages. Notable initiatives include the Nationwide Farmer Cooperative Initiative, training programs, and the Poultry Farm-to-Table Initiative.
Despite these efforts, Dassah's advocacy underscores the importance of sustained government support and commitment to the poultry industry's success in Ghana.
- George Dassah emphasized the need for a government policy framework to protect the poultry industry and offer subsidies, as seen in the United States and European Union, for the growth of the sector.
- The poultry sector's growth could lead to increased employment, production, and health benefits from consuming locally-produced broiler chicken, generating revenue for development and conserving foreign exchange, strengthening the Ghana cedi.
- Dassah urged the government to reduce the cost of credit and curb the inflow of frozen chicken, which poses significant challenges for local broiler farmers, to revive the poultry sector.
- In the general-news and politics, farmers are advocating for a commitment from the government towards the poultry sector's development, as they believe any political party that pushes such policies has their vote.
- By supporting the poultry sector, the youth unemployment rate may decrease, potentially resulting in lower crime rates due to more Ghanaians finding gainful employment in the industry.
