The government’s flagship poultry project, dubbed the “Integrated and self-sustaining poultry value chain facility” at Bechem in the Ahafo Region, is 50 per cent complete, the Minister of Food and Agriculture, Eric Opoku, has disclosed.
The $15 million integrated poultry and feed processing complex, expected to be completed next year, is projected to cut Ghana’s poultry imports by more than half while strengthening the local industry.
In an interview with The Ghanaian Times in Accra yesterday, Mr Opoku said the project, being implemented under the Feed Ghana Programme, would establish a sustainable poultry value chain, empower farmers and significantly reduce the country’s poultry import bill.
He noted that Ghana currently imports about $350 million worth of poultry and poultry products annually, describing the Bechem facility as a strategic intervention to reverse the trend, create jobs and enhance national food security.
Mr Opoku, who is also the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Member of Parliament for Asunafo South, said the government remained on course to make Ghana self-sufficient in poultry production by 2029.
He added that the project would generate thousands of direct and indirect jobs under the Poultry Industry Revitalisation Initiative, which is expected to create about 10,000 jobs.
The minister explained that the facility would include a feed processing plant to produce affordable, high-quality feed; a meat processing unit to meet domestic and export standards; a hatchery; cold storage facilities; a fertiliser manufacturing unit; a training academy for young farmers; and dormitories.
When fully operational, the two-line production system is expected to process 3,000 birds per hour on each line.
Mr Opoku explained that one line would be dedicated to processing layers, while the other would handle broilers.
He added that the hatchery, which is also under construction, would support the poultry revitalisation programme by producing day-old chicks for distribution to farmers.
The feed processing component, he said, was designed to reduce the cost of feed, which remains the largest expense in poultry production.
Mr Opoku further explained that every component of the value chain would be utilised, noting that farmers could sell eggshells to the company for use in feed production.
He said eggshells provided calcium, which would complement other feed ingredients such as maize for energy and soya for protein, particularly for layers.
The minister disclosed that the ministry had reached an agreement with a private soybean processing firm to establish a processing plant in Tamale.
He explained that the strategy was to ensure a steady supply of inputs for the poultry facility, while also creating a guaranteed market for outgrowers.
Under the arrangement, he said, the soybean factory would purchase produce from farmers, process it and supply it to the feed plant, which would then produce feed for poultry farmers.
Mr Opoku said this integrated system would ensure the steady availability of affordable feed, boost poultry production and ultimately help eliminate poultry imports in line with the 2029 target.
BY JULIUS YAO PETETSIa
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