Government, financial institutions and feed millers have been urged to put farmers at the centre of every policy meant to scale up Ghana’s poultry industry.
The call was made by Dr. Abutu Kapori, speaking on behalf of the Ghana National Association of Farmers and Fishermen, at the 6th Ghana National Poultry Day Festival held at the State House on Wednesday, 1st July 2026.
Addressing government officials, Ministry of Food and Agriculture representatives, development partners and farmers, Dr. Kapori said Ghana’s poultry sector has grown steadily over the past decade, but a significant share of chicken consumed in the country is still imported. A gap he described as both the industry’s greatest challenge and its greatest opportunity.
He identified three barriers holding back smallholder farmers: the high cost and inconsistency of feed, tied to fluctuating maize and soya prices; limited access to affordable credit, with many financial institutions still treating poultry as high-risk rather than a bankable agribusiness; and weak biosecurity infrastructure, leaving farmers exposed to outbreaks such as avian influenza and Newcastle disease.
Laying out what he called a practical roadmap rather than a wish list, Dr. Kapori called for government incentives for local maize and soya cultivation earmarked for poultry feed, and support for regional feed-blending cooperatives to help smallholders buy inputs in bulk.
Poultry-specific loan products with repayment cycles matched to production cycles, alongside expanded loan guarantee schemes for smallholder and women-led enterprises.
Expanded district-level veterinary presence, subsidised vaccine access, and a faster disease early-warning and reporting system.
Priority procurement of locally produced poultry by state institutions, schools, hospitals and the military, and stronger off-take agreements between processors and farmer cooperatives.
Continued investment in rural electrification, cold-chain storage and feeder roads linking farms to markets.
Deliberate targeting of credit, training and land-access schemes at young people and women, who he said already form the backbone of smallholder production.
Dr. Kapori said the association is committing to train its members in basic biosecurity practices and to strengthen district-level farmer groups, describing organisation among farmers as key to shaping policy and securing better input prices.
He rounded off his address with a call for government, the private sector and farmers to recommit to building a Ghana that feeds itself with pride.
