Poultry farmers in the Upper East Region of Ghana are yet to fully benefit from the government's Nkoko Nkitinkiti initiative, a flagship programme aimed at boosting domestic poultry production. According to Isaac Ayemvoa, a communication team member of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the region, the programme's implementation has been marred by challenges. The initiative seeks to support households and farmers with chicks, feed, and technical assistance to encourage poultry production and improve livelihoods.
The Upper East Regional Directorate of Agriculture has distributed chicks to some farmers, but not under the umbrella of the Nkoko Nkitinkiti programme. This has raised concerns about poor coordination among agricultural authorities and the effectiveness of the programme. Mr Ayemvoa questioned why the distribution was not undertaken under the Nkoko Nkitinkiti programme, citing potential issues with coordination.
The Nkoko Nkitinkiti initiative was introduced under the government's Feed Ghana Programme to increase domestic poultry production, create employment opportunities, and reduce Ghana's dependence on imported chicken. Smallholder farmers in the region have expressed willingness to venture into poultry production, but are yet to receive the necessary support. Mr Ayemvoa called for greater clarity on the status of the programme and the circumstances surrounding the distribution of chicks to farmers.
Mr Ayemvoa appealed to the media to engage the Upper East Regional Directorate of Agriculture to establish why the reported distribution exercise was not conducted under the Nkoko Nkitinkiti initiative. He believes such engagement would help clarify the programme's implementation arrangements and establish whether poultry farmers in the region are receiving the support intended under the initiative.
The NDC communicator expressed concern about the apparent disconnect between the activities of the Regional Directorate of Agriculture and the implementation of the initiative in the Upper East Region. He emphasized that smallholder farmers in the region should be given opportunities to benefit from the government's intervention.
The programme aims to support households and farmers with chicks, feed, and technical assistance to encourage poultry production and improve livelihoods. However, its implementation in the Upper East Region appears to be facing challenges. Mr Ayemvoa's concerns highlight the need for improved coordination and clarity on the programme's implementation arrangements.
The Upper East Regional Directorate of Agriculture has yet to comment on the issues raised by Mr Ayemvoa. The programme's success depends on effective coordination and implementation. Key stakeholders, including farmers and agricultural authorities, must work together to ensure that the programme's objectives are met and that poultry farmers in the region receive the necessary support.
Key points
- Poultry farmers in Ghana's Upper East Region struggle to access government support under the Nkoko Nkitinkiti initiative.
- The programme's implementation has been marred by challenges, including poor coordination among agricultural authorities.
- Smallholder farmers in the region have expressed willingness to venture into poultry production, but are yet to receive the necessary support.
