Ghana seeks investment-driven master plan to revamp poultry sector

Ghana's agricultural sector is at a critical juncture, with stakeholders urgently advocating for a comprehensive and investment-driven National Poultry Master Plan. The current reliance on imports for poultry products, which has reached nearly 90% of consumption, is unsustainable and highlights a significant decline from the country's past self-sufficiency, which once stood at around 80%. This dramatic shift underscores the urgent need for a strategic overhaul to revitalize the local poultry industry.

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We need to move beyond repetitive policy frameworks that often fail to deliver meaningful results.

The proposed Master Plan, spearheaded by the Ministry of Food and Agriculture in collaboration with Agri-Impact Limited and the Mastercard Foundation, is designed to be a data-driven initiative. It seeks to move beyond superficial policy changes that have historically failed to yield substantial results. The plan's holistic approach targets key investment areas across the entire value chain, from feed mills and hatcheries to processing and distribution, aiming to create a more robust and competitive local industry.

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How can we continue to import a product that takes less than two months to produce?

Key challenges plaguing the sector, including high feed costs, inadequate cold-chain infrastructure, fragmented markets, and limited access to quality day-old chicks, are central to the Master Plan's agenda. The initiative emphasizes addressing these systemic constraints through practical, innovative solutions and by attracting both public and private investment. A crucial aspect is ensuring inclusivity, with a particular focus on empowering women and vulnerable groups within the sector.

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The proposed Poultry Master Plan was being designed to address these bottlenecks holistically.

From Ghana's perspective, the revival of the poultry sector is not merely an economic objective; it is a matter of food security, job creation, and national pride. The current import dependency strains the economy and leaves the nation vulnerable. The success of this Master Plan, therefore, is paramount to regaining self-sufficiency, fostering sustainable growth, and ensuring that Ghana can meet its own domestic demand for poultry products, a commodity that takes less than two months to produce locally.

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Despite government interventions, Ghana continued to experience a mismatch between domestic supply and demand, leading to heavy poultry imports that strained the economy.