By Benjamin Nii Nai Anyetei
Poultry farmers across the country may soon see a major boost in local production, as government has confirmed the Nkoko Nkitinkiti programme will officially take off in the first week of October 2025.
The announcement comes after the Ministry of Food and Agriculture postponed the programme’s original July launch, citing the need for broader stakeholder consultation.
Industry players have long lamented Ghana’s overreliance on imported poultry, which costs the nation more than $300 million annually, weakening the local value chain and threatening livelihoods.
At a press briefing in Accra, following the launch of the second phase of the West Africa Livestock Marketing Programme (PACBAO), the Minister of Food and Agriculture, Eric Opoku, reassured farmers that the rollout plan was on course.
He revealed that beneficiary lists are being finalised and procurement processes with contractors are almost complete. Distribution of the first batch of birds is expected to begin immediately after the launch, with farmers across constituencies targeted.
Stakeholders say the programme could be a turning point for the poultry industry if implemented effectively. Beyond cutting imports, the scheme promises to create jobs for rural youth and women, strengthen domestic feed and processing industries, and help stabilise prices in local markets.
Many farmers are now looking to October with cautious optimism, hopeful that the long-awaited intervention will not suffer further delays.
