Poultry Farmer Appeals for Government Support to Revive Sector

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of M.J Asabil Farms, Mr. Moses Jackson Asabil, has made a passionate appeal to the Minister of Food and Agriculture, Hon. Eric Opoku, to prioritize investment in the poultry industry — a sector he described as “very vibrant” and key to reducing youth unemployment and boosting the country’s economic growth.

M.J Asabil Farms, established in 2019 and located at Manso-Akropong in the Amansie West District of the Ashanti Region, is a reliable source of high-quality poultry products, including eggs, live broilers, chicken, and organic fertilizers.

Mr. Asabil expressed concern over the lack of support for poultry farmers, explaining that government incentives — such as discounts on imported poultry-related commodities like feed — have been discontinued. As a result, poultry feed now accounts for approximately 90 percent of operational costs, making the business less profitable. He revealed that many poultry farms are shutting down due to the rising cost of operations and dwindling profits.

Highlighting the challenges in the Manso area, Mr. Asabil noted that illegal mining activities, popularly known as galamsey, have led to a shortage of labor and unavailability of land for agricultural purposes. “M.J Asabil Farms is surrounded by abandoned mining pits and is situated on reclaimed land, which makes expansion very difficult,” he said.

He also lamented the poor road network in the area, stating that the bad roads deter drivers from transporting goods through Manso, leading to low patronage and financial losses. “Transporters avoid the Manso stretch, and this directly affects our market reach,” he added.

Mr. Asabil appealed to the government to invest in the poultry sector to reduce the country’s dependence on imported frozen chicken, which is estimated to cost over USD 100 million annually. “We have the capacity and the skill to produce frozen chicken locally if the government offers the needed support,” he stressed.

He further appealed to the Minister for Roads and Highways to prioritize the Manso road network in the national budget, emphasizing that improved infrastructure would enhance economic activity and contribute to national development.