KIC, Premier Poultry partner to support Ghanaian poultry industry

GHANA – Kosmos Innovation Centre (KIC) is partnering with Premier Poultry Limited to provide young people in Ghana with opportunities in the poultry sector.

Premier Poultry Limited, based in Kumasi, is an agribusiness that supplies day-old chicks to smallholder farmers after rearing them for six weeks.

This initiative will help young entrepreneurs gain practical skills in poultry farming while ensuring farmers have access to healthy birds.

By supporting small-scale poultry farmers, the partnership aims to improve employment rates and household nutrition.

Benjamin Gyan-Kesse, the Executive Director of KIC, said poultry farming is crucial to Ghana’s agricultural growth and economic development.

He explained that the collaboration is part of KIC’s broader efforts to strengthen agribusiness through training and strategic alliances.

Through this initiative, young people are learning how to run poultry businesses, increasing their chances of financial stability.

One of the program’s beneficiaries, Abena Owusu, said she has started her own poultry business with support from KIC and Premier Poultry.

She noted that having a stable income has allowed her to provide better for her family.

Poultry production trends in Ghana

Ghana’s poultry industry is a significant contributor to rural incomes and food security.

In 2023, the country produced 50,482 metric tons of chicken meat, slightly more than in 2022.

Hen egg production reached 74,374 metric tons in the same year, a 15% rise from the previous year.

By 2028, poultry production is expected to grow to 83,000 metric tons.

Despite its importance, the industry faces high costs, with feed expenses making up about 80% of production costs.

Ghana’s poultry farms operate at large, medium, and small scales, with each facing different challenges.

To modernize the sector, the government introduced the Rearing for Food and Jobs (RFJ) program.

However, poultry farmers have struggled with rising feed prices, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic.

In 2023, the government also removed the Benchmark Value Discount policy, affecting import costs for poultry farmers.

While challenges persist, initiatives like the KIC and Premier Poultry partnership offer new opportunities for young entrepreneurs in Ghana’s poultry industry.

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