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The Deputy Minister of Food and Agriculture, John Dumelo, has announced that the government will commence the distribution of birds under its flagship poultry initiative, the ‘Nkoko Nkitinkiti’ Programme, from mid-November 2025.
According to the Deputy Minister, this marks the first phase of the initiative, under which the government plans to distribute three million birds to farmers and households across all constituencies in Ghana.
Speaking on PM EXPRESS BUSINESS EDITION with host George Wiafe, recorded in Washington D.C. on the sidelines of the IMF/World Bank Annual Meetings, Mr. Dumelo said the distribution will also include feed and vaccination support to ensure successful rearing.
“These birds will also be vaccinated, so beneficiaries can immediately begin their poultry farming,” he stated.
He explained that the initiative targets a broad range of producers — from smallholder farmers to households — to boost local poultry production and enhance food security.
Distribution Plan
Outlining the rollout strategy, Mr. Dumelo revealed that the government is targeting the distribution of about 10,000 birds per constituency, with an estimated 200 households expected to receive around 50 birds each.
He assured that the Ministry would closely monitor the process to ensure transparency and that the birds reach the intended beneficiaries.
“We believe that when people receive these birds, they can rear them in their backyards and make some money for themselves. This will go a long way to boost local production,” he said.
The Deputy Minister emphasized that recipients will be selected based on their interest and basic knowledge in poultry farming, to ensure the birds are well managed and the programme succeeds.
“We should see this as an initial investment by the government. When the birds are ready and you sell them, use that money to buy new ones and continue,” he advised.
Supporting Local Poultry Production
Addressing concerns that the programme might affect existing poultry businesses, Mr. Dumelo dismissed such fears, clarifying that the initiative seeks to support and strengthen local production, not compete with it.
“The government is not happy about the high import rate of chicken for consumption in Ghana, given its impact on foreign exchange and local employment. That is why we are implementing this programme,” he explained.
He noted that Ghana currently spends over $300 million annually on chicken imports, and the ‘Nkoko Nkitinkiti’ Programme aims to reduce this dependence while creating jobs for rural youth and women, boosting the feed and processing industries, and stabilising local market prices.
Ensuring Food Security
Mr. Dumelo also disclosed that the government is working with several agencies to guarantee a steady food supply throughout the year. This includes providing financial support to the National Food Buffer Stock Company to enhance food storage and stock management.
“The government is putting in place measures and initiatives to address post-harvest losses,” he said.
He further noted that the Ministry is collaborating with the Ministry of Youth and Sports under the Youth in Agriculture Programme, encouraging broader stakeholder participation in storage, processing, and value addition.
“All these initiatives are aligned with our Feed Ghana Programme, which aims to produce more food to feed ourselves and even export the surplus,” the Deputy Minister concluded.
News Source: PM Express Business Edition
