The Ministry of Food and Agriculture is gearing up to launch the first phase of its much-anticipated poultry initiative, the Nkoko Nkitinkiti Programme, in mid-November. The nationwide rollout is expected to distribute thousands of birds to beneficiaries across Ghana as part of efforts to revive the domestic poultry industry and reduce the country’s heavy reliance on imported chicken.
Deputy Minister of Food and Agriculture, John Dumelo, announced the move during an interview in Washington D.C. on the sidelines of the IMF/World Bank Annual Meetings. He revealed that the initial phase of the programme will see each constituency receive about 10,000 birds, alongside feed and veterinary support to ensure successful rearing.
According to him, this intervention marks a major step toward restoring confidence in local poultry production. “All the birds will be vaccinated before distribution so that beneficiaries can begin rearing immediately,” Mr. Dumelo explained. He added that the government is keen on transparency in the selection process, ensuring that only individuals with basic knowledge or interest in poultry farming benefit from the initiative.
Under the plan, about 200 households per constituency are expected to receive approximately 50 birds each. Government officials will also supervise the process to ensure that the birds reach the right hands and are properly managed.
“We see this as an initial investment. Once the birds mature and are sold, the proceeds should be reinvested into expanding the stock. That’s how we build a self-sustaining local poultry system,” Mr. Dumelo emphasized.
The Nkoko Nkitinkiti project, he said, is not meant to compete with existing poultry businesses but to complement them by building a stronger domestic supply chain. The government hopes to stimulate rural entrepreneurship, create employment for women and youth, and reduce the $300 million Ghana spends annually on imported poultry.
“Ghana’s poultry sector has huge potential,” Dumelo remarked. “If we strengthen local production and feed supply, we can save foreign exchange, create jobs, and stabilize chicken prices.”
The Deputy Minister further disclosed that the Nkoko Nkitinkiti initiative is part of a broader agricultural revitalization strategy under the Feed Ghana Programme. The government is working with agencies such as the National Food Buffer Stock Company to stabilize food availability throughout the year and curb post-harvest losses.
He said the Ministry is collaborating with the Ministry of Youth and Sports to expand the Youth in Agriculture Programme, providing young people with practical avenues to participate in food production and agribusiness.
“Our focus is on consistency—ensuring food is not abundant in one season and scarce in another,” he explained. “These interventions are all geared toward building resilience in Ghana’s food system.”
As the November rollout approaches, expectations remain high that the Nkoko Nkitinkiti Programme will not only boost domestic poultry output but also spark renewed confidence in Ghana’s capacity to feed itself sustainably.
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