GHANA – Ghana’s broiler sector will receive a significant boost as the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MOFA) kicks off the Poultry Intensification Scheme under the West Africa Food System Resilience Programme (FSRP).
Backed by a US$150M World Bank grant, this five-year initiative aims to enhance domestic poultry production and reduce reliance on imports.
The initiative plans to support 22 selected commercial poultry producers, with a goal of producing 2 million birds annually.
Key elements include interest-free loans for essential inputs, with each beneficiary allocated 160,000 day-old chicks, 180,000 kg of feed, and vaccinations, ensuring they have the necessary resources to rear healthy birds from the start.
The scheme targets commercial poultry farmers in six regions: Ashanti, Bono, Central, Eastern, Greater Accra, and Volta.
In the Ashanti Region, three anchor farms—Rockland, Boris B. Chicken, and Darko Farms—have each received an initial shipment of 40,000 day-old chicks, marking a significant step towards meeting the program’s production goals.
Ghana currently spends approximately US$400M annually on imported chicken, and the FSRP seeks to reverse this trend by significantly increasing domestic production.
The program also emphasizes the adoption of contemporary, climate-resilient methods across the poultry production chain, aiming to boost productivity and ensure the industry’s long-term sustainability by minimizing environmental impact.
In its first phase, funded with US$12.5M, the scheme will offer critical support to farmers over three years.
Recognizing the importance of expertise, the FSRP will train farmers in best practices and climate-smart technologies, equipping them to manage their flocks efficiently and adapt to environmental changes.
Additionally, to enhance post-production activities such as processing and cold storage, farmers can access matching grants up to $400,000.
The Poultry Intensification Scheme is part of a regional effort under the FSRP, driven by ECOWAS and funded by the World Bank.
This initiative spans multiple countries, including Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, Sierra Leone, Togo, and Chad, aiming to enhance food system resilience, sustainable agricultural practices, and market harmonization across West Africa.
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