May 23, 2012

Ghana poultry farmers worry on government's corn hoarding

Ghana's poultry farmers have criticised its government's attempt to control the rising market price of imported corn by deferring the release of the crop.

A consignment of 15,000 tonnes of corn, imported three months ago by the Ministry of Food and Agriculture is still under wraps, poultry farmers say.

Kojo Asante, chairman of Poultry Farmers Association, says association members have been buying feed at higher prices than normal.

The Ministry of Food and Agriculture last year received support from the Agriculture Development Bank to start importation of the corn to boost the local poultry industry.

Kojo Asante voiced a concern that the Ministry of Food and Agriculture of deliberately crippling the poultry industry by hoarding the feed.

The Chairman of Poultry Farmers Association said if government refusal to release the corn is a ploy to sabotage their egg business, then they will advise themselves accordingly.