The Poultry Farmers Association (PFA) in the Ashanti Region is urging the Ministry of Food and Agriculture to expedite the establishment of a Poultry Council to address the pressing challenges facing the industry.
Speaking on behalf of the association, Mr. Charles Kingsford Donkor, the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the PFA, emphasized the need for a dedicated council to serve as a platform for poultry farmers to voice their concerns and seek solutions to industry-wide issues.
According to the PFA, the poultry sector has struggled with limited access to essential services, including affordable feed, veterinary care, and financial support.
The association believes that a Poultry Council would provide a unified voice for farmers, enabling them to negotiate better prices for their products and secure necessary resources for sustainable growth.
One of the critical concerns raised by the PFA is the lack of government support for irrigation. Many poultry farmers rely on rain-fed agriculture for feed production, making them vulnerable to droughts and adverse weather conditions.
The association is urging the government to invest in irrigation systems that would allow year-round feed cultivation, reducing dependency on imported feed.
Access to finance is another major hurdle for poultry farmers. The PFA noted that many farmers struggle to secure credit due to high interest rates and limited lending options.
The association is calling for government-backed soft loans with lower or interest-free rates to help poultry farmers expand their operations and improve productivity.
The proposed Poultry Council, according to the PFA, would not only serve as an advocacy body but also provide a platform for knowledge sharing, industry collaboration, and policy formulation.
The association believes that with a dedicated council, poultry farmers will have greater bargaining power, leading to improved livelihoods and a more resilient poultry industry.
The PFA is calling on the government to take swift action in establishing the council, emphasizing that its creation would have far-reaching benefits for thousands of poultry farmers and the overall agricultural sector.
