The President of the Greater Accra Poultry Farmers Association (GAPFA), Michael Nyarko Ampem, has suggested to the Ministry of Food and Agriculture to sign a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with feed millers to ensure poultry farmers get a regular supply of feed for their poultry.
Speaking on the shortage of the feed on the market, he averred that this plan will be the only way to address the acute feed shortage and spike in maize prices on the market.
According to him, the allocation of a specific tonnage of feed and maize to the sector before export will be highly appreciated by poultry farmers.
“The Ministry has allowed poultry farmers to import feed, however, poultry farmers say the cost in importing maize is exorbitant compared to buying on the local market.
“GAPFA and the Ghana Feed millers Association are therefore calling on the Ministry of Food and Agriculture to sign an MOU with feed millers to help address the scarcity of feed and the spike in prices of maize and poultry feed on the market. The two associations believe such an MOU will guarantee at least 50% regular supply of the poultry feed.”
GAPFA
Look into current feed demands
Mr. Nyarko Ampem further stated that the Ministry also has to look at the current demands by these farmers before taking a decision on what to do.
“We should look at the demand of maize and its supply. The maize a family can finish in 6 months, the birds can finish it in 2 hours. So, the Agric Ministry needs to look at the demand by both farmers and families and provide the required stock.”
GAPFA
He further suggested that the Buffer Stock should also sign an MOU with the feed mills so they can produce the quantity the poultry farmers need all the time. To him, such a deal will save businesses from collapsing.
“So, after satisfying our wheat bran and maize demand, we can then go ahead and export. We have almost 2000 members and lots of birds in the system.
“The industry is experiencing some intermittent shutdowns as lots farmer have put poultry farming on hold. But a total shutdown is not far.”
GAPFA
Agric Minister to blame for feed shortage
Also speaking on the issue of feed shortage, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Loudorph Farms, Daniel Dolling, has blamed the Minister of Food and Agriculture, Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto for the shortage of poultry feed on the Ghanaian market.
According to him, there was an abundance of maize, the primary feed for birds this year but instead of storing them up, the Minister of Agric encouraged maize farmers to sell them to neighboring countries, hence the shortage.
Daniel Dolling lamenting on the shortage said, he blames the Minister of Agriculture because the Planting for Food and Jobs went well and he allowed farmers to export the maize to other neighboring countries.
“Meanwhile it wasn’t sufficient for us. We warned him about his action but he refused to listen.”
Daniel Dolling
