Poultry farmers in Nkoranza have appealed to government to increase the supply of day-old chicks under the Nkoko Nketenkete initiative, citing rising demand and the programme’s positive impact on their operations.
According to the farmers, the initiative has significantly boosted local poultry production by providing access to quality chicks, feed support, and technical guidance. However, they say the current allocation falls short of demand, leaving many interested farmers unable to benefit fully from the programme.
Speaking to the media, some farmers noted that the limited supply has slowed their expansion plans despite growing market opportunities. They explained that with increased access to chicks, they would be able to scale up production, create jobs, and contribute more meaningfully to reducing poultry imports in the country.
“We are ready to produce more, but access to chicks remains a major challenge,” one farmer said. “The programme is helpful, but it needs to be expanded so more of us can benefit.”
The Nkoko Nketenkete initiative, introduced as part of efforts to revamp Ghana’s poultry sector, aims to support farmers with essential inputs while promoting local production and food security. Beneficiaries say the intervention has helped reduce production costs and improved survival rates of birds through better-quality inputs.
Farmers in Nkoranza are therefore urging authorities to increase the number of chicks distributed, expand coverage to reach more communities, and ensure timely delivery to avoid disruptions in their production cycles.
They also called for sustained support in the form of veterinary services, access to affordable feed, and improved market linkages to help stabilise prices and maximise returns.
Some stakeholders in the sector believe that strengthening the initiative could play a critical role in bridging the country’s poultry supply gap, creating employment, and enhancing rural livelihoods.
The farmers expressed optimism that with the necessary adjustments and increased investment, the Nkoko Nketenkete initiative could become a game-changer for Ghana’s poultry industry.
They reiterated their commitment to working with government and other stakeholders to grow the sector, but stressed that consistent and adequate supply of chicks remains key to unlocking the full potential of poultry farming in the area.
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