High cost of feed, marketing and husbandry, a bane to poultry in Ghana – Official

Dr Mark Hanson, Director of Veterinary Service at the Ministry of Food and Agricultural, has said the high cost of poultry feed production and marketing were some of the major challenges crippling the growth of the poultry industry in Ghana.

Dr Hanson raised the concern when a 12-member delegation met officials of the United States of America Poultry and Egg Export Council (USAPEEC) to deliberate and strategize on how to improve poultry production to ensure affordable protein for the people of Ghana

The meeting formed part of an education tour to the USA at the invitation of USAPEEC and the US state Embassy in Ghana.

The delegation includes six poultry and veterinary officials from the Ministry of Agriculture, a member of the Poultry Farmers Association and selected journalists.

As part of the tour the group visited farms, poultry sales outlets, hatcheries and cold store to familiarize themselves with the best practice of poultry products and deliberate on collaboration to help the industry grow.

In responce to the concern, Mr James H. Sumner, President of USAPEEC, said the Council would hold discussions with some of the stakeholders to find out how Ghana could be supported mutually.

Giving the overview of the US industry, he said the sector produced about 22 million tones of chicken products a year with an additional three million tones in the same period.

He said the US remained the top broiler producer country in the world with about 22% followed by followed by China, 16.4% Brazil 16%, European Union 11.7 % whiles Indian and Mexico produced 3.6% each.

He invited the Executive of the poultry sector to join the International Poultry Council which was formed in October 2005 to bring together poultry industry leaders from around the world to address issues of trade, science, and improved relations among nations.

He said the group had received recognition the Food and Agricultural Organisation and seeks to strengthen communication between countries, develop and implement policies for international organizations affecting the world’s poultry industry and to promote a common understanding of and confidence in poultry products throughout the world.

Source: GNA

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