The Ghanaian government has recently announced an ambitious poultry initiative designed to reshape its national poultry industry by supporting 50 large-scale farmers to collectively raise four million birds annually. Known as the “Nkokɔ Nkitikiti” project, this public-private intervention aims to reinvigorate domestic poultry production, reduce egg and meat imports, stabilize prices, and enhance food security across Ghana
At its core, the program identifies and backs “anchor farmers”—commercial poultry producers equipped with sufficient infrastructure and farmer networks to scale rapidly. These 50 farmers will receive support such as chicks, feed, veterinary services, and market linkages. With every farmer responsible for around 80,000 birds per year, these targeted producers are expected to drive significant industry growth.
Ghana is not alone in pursuing poultry sector development. In Kenya, for instance, poultry farming supports millions of households and includes both small-scale producers and large commercial outfits. The country’s broiler and layer production is dominated by major companies such as Kenchic, Kenbro, Muguku Farms, and Brade Gate. Smallholders often raise Kienyeji (indigenous) breeds for dual meat and egg production, while larger enterprises increasingly focus on industrial-scale operations .
The Ghana initiative mirrors this multi-tiered system, bridging traditional smallholder practice with commercial expansion. In many African nations, including Ghana, rural households rely on informal poultry operations for income and nutrition. However, these smaller producers often face challenges such as disease outbreaks, feed price volatility, and limited access to quality inputs. Large-scale, anchor-program-supported farms can serve as stabilizers, introducing best practices and ensuring more predictable production.
Key objectives of Ghana’s poultry strategy include job creation, indigenous disease control measures, and reducing dependency on poultry imports. By elevating local capacity, Ghana can retain more value within its borders—farms will sell eggs and chicken meat domestically instead of importing cheaper alternatives. This intensification also holds the promise of spillover benefits: improved logistics channels, feed mills expansion, and expanded veterinary services across the value chain.
That said, scaling to four million birds annually poses significant challenges. Poultry diseases such as Newcastle disease and avian influenza risk rapid spread in high-density flocks. Ghana’s ability to monitor and rapidly respond to outbreaks will be critical. Infrastructure demands—like reliable electricity for brooding, clean water, and consistent feed quality—must also be met. Anchor farmers require extensive technical support and capacity-building to avoid setbacks from inadequate management or disease control.
However, the potential economic contributions justify the investment. Large-scale poultry production can offer steady employment across farming, processing, logistics, and retail. Ghana stands to gain substantially by substituting imported poultry products and possibly entering export markets regionally. As Ghana intensifies domestic production under this scheme, it follows the footsteps of nations like Nigeria and Kenya, which have seen commercial poultry emerge as a pillar of agribusiness development.
To ensure sustainability, this linkage of government support and private enterprise must also be inclusive. While primary beneficiaries are commercial, their success can create opportunities for smallholder suppliers who rear chicks or provide feed ingredients. Extension services and training must target multiple levels of the sector—not just anchor farms—that way, the program promotes widespread productivity gains.
Ghana’s “Nkokɔ Nkitikiti” poultry project marks a significant step toward modernizing its poultry industry. By empowering 50 anchor farmers to rear four million birds, the government targets increased self-reliance, job creation, and food security. Similar models in Kenya and beyond demonstrate the viability of scaling poultry operations—if disease control, infrastructure, and training keep pace. If properly executed, Ghana’s plan can transform its poultry landscape and set a blueprint for agricultural transformation in West Africa.
