Haruna Iddrisu wants Agric Minister summoned over state of poultry industry

The Minority Leader, Haruna Iddrisu is demanding the urgent summoning of the Minister for Food and Agriculture over the state of the poultry industry in the country.

According to him, the scarcity of ingredients like maize for poultry feed and other teething challenges is gradually crippling the sector.

The ongoing war in Ukraine has left Ghana and the rest of the world short of important grains.

President Nana Akufo-Addo has publicly expressed concern about the shortage of fertiliser and its relationship with the production of grains.

Speaking on the floor of Parliament on Friday, June 17, 2022, Mr. Iddrisu bemoaned the current state of the poultry industry and underscored the need for urgent action.

“There is a seeming problem with the poultry industry in Ghana. Poultry farmers have difficulty accessing what they call poultry feed,” the Minority Leader said.

He noted that the closure of some poultry-related businesses because of some difficulties had come to his attention.

“We are already an unacceptable net importer of poultry when we have the capacity and capability to produce the poultry that we need,” Mr. Iddrisu said.

He noted further that the poultry industry “remains a major source of employment apart from satisfying the protein needs of Ghanaians.”

In 2021, chicken imports were estimated at 350,000 metric tonnes.

According to forecasts for 2022, imports of chicken could rise to 400,000 metric tonnes.