Farmers frustrated over delay in Nkoko Nkitinkiti Project

Poultry farmers are calling on government to provide clarity on the delayed rollout of the much-publicised Nkoko Nkitinkiti project.

According to Kwame Anim Somuah, President of the Greater Accra Poultry Farmers Association, they are

concerned over the lack of communication from the government the delay has left farmers in limbo regarding production and planning.

“It’s been touted for a long time, but from where we sit, I don’t know what is holding back the launch of the programme. What we are asking for is an update to farmer associations on the current state of the project, so we can plan accordingly. If we know it will be launched within the next month or two, farmers will be better prepared for participation and processing.

For instance, if I raise my birds now, in less than two months they’ll be ready. But the question is, when they are fully matured, where do I take them?” Citinewsroom.com report

The initiative, which was scheduled to commence last month, is expected to support more than 55,000 households, create jobs for the youth, and reduce Ghana’s annual poultry imports, which cost the country over $300 million.

Earlier this year, President John Dramani Mahama, in his State of the Nation Address, reiterated his administration’s commitment to strengthening the link between agriculture and industry.

He emphasized that government would prioritise value addition, processing, and distribution to make agriculture more profitable and attractive to young people.

The President also assured that in addition to the Nkoko Nkitinkiti project, the AgriNext Programme would soon be rolled out to facilitate access to land banks for young farmers and link graduates to opportunities within the agricultural value chain.