The Greater Accra Poultry Farmers Association (GAPFA), with support from the Ghana Poultry Project (GPP), has trained its members on modern and globally accepted trends in poultry farming.
The GPP is the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) funded initiative to increase the competitiveness of domestic poultry production.
Members of the association, were trained on new and effective ways in poultry management, bookkeeping in poultry management, vaccination procedures. Other areas of training included disease prevention and control, biosecurity, medication and brooding management.
GAPFA’s President Mr Michael Nyarko Ampem, said the training would enable members to replicate the knowledge acquired to boost productivity. However, he attributed the recent increase in price of eggs to the increase in prices of maize, wheat brans, soya among others.
“The situation is still uncertain because we have a lot of maize on the market. However, the prices haven’t come down to enable us to purchase on a large scale. ”
Mr Michael Nyarko Ampem, GAPFA’s President.
Mr Ampem acknowledged the continuous positive impacts of the government’s flagship program on the economy. However, he said government must consider the plight of poultry farmers regarding the price of the commodities.
Proper poultry management practices
Dr. Theophilus Odoom, Head of Veterinary Laboratory, Accra cautioned the members to consider poultry as a business and not a hobby. He indicated that the process of poultry farming is an investment that entails enormous capital infusion to make it sustainable.
Also, Dr Odoom explained that poultry farmers must move away from old methods in the management of poultry. To clarify, farmers must properly accounts for inputs and investments, costing, business registration. They must also employ digital marketing through the internet and if possible be on salary as the business owner, he added.
The above-mentioned factors, he said, are the surest ways that would lead to the prudent management of finances and resources of the business. While the import of eggs from Ivory Coast and poultry products from Europe continue to linger, Dr. Odoom noted that Ghanaian poultry farmers must work extra hard to meet domestic demands.
Management Committee Chairman of GAPFA, Mr Seth A. Wilson, highlighted the need to follow the proper processes in brooding management in order to grow healthy birds. He said drinkers and feeders must always have the right amount of feed and water. They must be clean at all times to prevent disease outbreak, he added.
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