The government will soon roll out its “Nkoko nkitinkiti” project as part of measure to cut down on the country’s importation of poultry products, especially chicken and eggs as well as generate employment for the youth.
The project is expected to benefit not less than 55,000 households across the country as well as create jobs for the youth.
In addition, it is also expected to save the country over $300 million of money spent on poultry imports per annum.
President John Dramani Mahama disclosed this when he delivered his maiden State of the Nation Address, following his return to the seat of Presidency in Accra yesterday.
“Our poultry farm-to-table project will eliminate poultry imports and increase local production. Ghana imports 95 per cent of its poultry needs, which costs over US$ 300 million annually,” he said.
“To reverse this trend, government’s plan is to revamp the poultry sector by investing in hatcheries, feed mills, processing, and distribution, working toward eliminating poultry imports,” he added.
President Mahama stated that to strengthen the connection between agriculture and industry, his administration would prioritise value addition, processing, and distribution noting that such move would position agriculture as a profitable and appealing activity, making it more attractive to young people.
The president assured that in addition to the ‘Nkoko Nkitinkiti’ programme, the implementation of the AgriNext Programme would also commence soon.
This, he said, would facilitate access to land banks for young farmers, and connect graduates with opportunities in the agricultural value chain.
AgriNext, he stated, would not only promote greenhouse agriculture among the youth but would also benefit approximately 30,000 young people in the country.
“We will implement an AgriNext Programme to facilitate access to land banks by young farmers, connect graduates with opportunities in the agricultural value chain, and promote greenhouse agriculture among the youth. This initiative will benefit approximately 30,000 young people,” he emphasisied.
Furthermore, the President noted that the Livestock Development Project would address Ghana’s reliance on imported meat by restocking breeder farms and increasing local livestock production, creating jobs and boosting self-sufficiency.
Touching of general agriculture, he indicated that, for years, access to mechanisation, quality seeds, fertilisers, and extension services has been a major challenge for farmers.
To address this, he mentioned that, his government would establish Farmer Service Centres in every agricultural district, ensuring farmers receive essential resources to improve productivity and efficiency.
BY CYNTHIA ASAMPANA
