BY VALENTIA TETTEH
The Minister for Food and Agriculture, Eric Opoku, has disclosed that the government has procured three million birds for distribution to nearly 80,000 households under the Nkoko Nkitinkiti programme.
Speaking before Parliament’s Assurance Committee on Thursday, July 9, Mr. Opoku said the initiative is designed to promote backyard poultry production and reduce Ghana’s dependence on imported poultry products.
“We have procured three million birds for distribution to almost 80,000 households across the country. The objective is to stimulate interest in backyard poultry production,” he said.
According to the Minister, 200 beneficiaries will be selected from each constituency, with the birds first being brooded and vaccinated before distribution to minimise mortality.
He said the programme has already been implemented in 11 regions, while distribution is now being extended to the five northern regions following a successful pilot.
Mr. Opoku further announced that the European Union, through the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), has donated 150,000 birds to support vulnerable households in six districts in northern Ghana.
Looking ahead, the Minister revealed that the government plans to procure an additional four million birds to support commercial poultry farmers.
He also disclosed that he intends to present a proposal to Parliament to support Members of Parliament interested in venturing into poultry farming.
“If Parliament agrees, the Ministry of Food and Agriculture will support all Members of Parliament to go into poultry production. We think it is a viable business that can also support them after public service,” he said.
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