SONA25: Our ‘nkoko nkitinkiti’ project will reduce the $300 million we spend on importing chicken annually – Mahama

President John Dramani Mahama has stressed that his government is committed to implementing the ‘nkoko nkitinkiti’ programme to reduce the $300 million the country spends on importing chicken annually.

The ‘nkoko nkitinkiti’ programme, is a campaign promise of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) aimed at boosting poultry production and creating jobs for the youth through enhanced support for poultry farmers, affordable feed production, and expanded veterinary services.

Delivering his State of the Nation Address on Thursday, February 27, President John Dramani Mahama said the programme will cover 55,000 households producing eggs and fresh poultry for the market.

“Our poultry farm-to-table project will eliminate poultry imports and increase local production. Ghana imports 95% of its poultry needs, which costs over US$ 300 million annually. To reverse this trend, government’s plan is to revamp the poultry sector by investing in hatcheries, feed mills, processing, and distribution, working toward eliminating poultry imports.

“The Nkoko nkitinkiti project will cover fifty-five thousand (55,000) households producing eggs and fresh poultry for the market and help reduce the $300 million dollars we spend on importing chicken annually,” President Mahama said.

In his address, President John Dramani Mahama noted that his government will prioritise value addition, processing, and distribution.

He is confident that this will position agriculture as a profitable and appealing activity, making it more attractive to young people.

“We will implement an AgriNext Programme to facilitate access to land banks by young farmers, connect graduates with opportunities in the agricultural value chain, and promote greenhouse agriculture among the youth. This initiative will benefit approximately 30,000 young people,” President Mahama added.