US to invest $57m into Ghana agriculture

On Nov 17, 2015 Last updated Nov 17, 2015

The US Deputy Secretary of Agriculture, Krysta Harden today announced a $57 million investment into the agriculture sector of Ghana.

At a press conference in Accra Wednesday November 17, 2015 she said the Food for Progress programme with ACDI/VOCA and the American Soy Association would work with Ghanaian poultry farmers to add value to their products.

The programme would integrate soy and maize farming into poultry farming.

“When the government of Ghana asked for assistance to improve its poultry sector, USDA and its partners were ready to help. We are happy to be here today with ACDI/VOCA and the American Soybean Association to launch new economic development and producer outreach initiatives,” she said.

The agreement with ACDI/VOCA targets producer groups and cooperators and works with those groups to improve feed quality and veterinary services, the US Department of Agriculture explained in a news release.

“The agreement with the American Soybean Association focuses on educating producers about the importance of high-quality feed and improves the industry’s capacity to test feed. The agreements are valued at $36.6 and $21.5 million, respectively and the projects will operate over five years,” it said.

Ghana’s poultry industry has been struggling over the years. Crippling competition from its counterparts in developed countries forces the country to import large amounts of chicken.

In 2010, the country imported over 200,000 tonnes of frozen chicken from the EU, USA and Brazil, valued at $200 million.

In 2014 the country imported 144,000 tonnes of chicken.

Poultry hatcheries in the country are reportedly also not producing at full capacity.

The hatcheries are running at 60 per cent of capacity due to low demand, a report prepared by the USDA, published August 6, 2013 says.

The country’s poultry farmers in addition to high interest rates on loans, are having to deal with bankers reluctant to lend to farmers.

This programme could be seen as a lifeline to the industry.

By Emmanuel K. Dogbevi