Reviving Ghana’s Poultry Sector: Maize, Soya and the Youth Solution When My Uncle’s Poultry Farm Collapsed…
Not too long ago, my Uncle Kwabena, a retired teacher, started a small poultry farm in Koforidua. The beginning was full of promise — he had over 200 broilers, good shelter, and access to clean water. Everything seemed fine… until feed prices shot up. A bag of maize that used to cost GH¢70 was suddenly going for GH¢200. Soya wasn’t any better. Before we knew it, he was selling birds at a loss just to stay afloat. Eventually, he closed the farm, discouraged and in debt.
But here’s the kicker — my uncle’s story isn’t unique. Thousands of small-scale poultry farmers across Ghana have faced the same fate. The poultry sector, once thriving, has been struggling under the weight of expensive feed, lack of local raw materials, and minimal youth participation. The good news? There’s a solution in sight — and it lies in maize, soya, and the untapped energy of Ghana’s youth.
Why Ghana’s Poultry Sector Is in Crisis Let’s be real for a second: Ghana imports over $300 million worth of poultry products annually. That’s chicken, eggs, turkey — things we could and should be producing ourselves. The local poultry industry supplies less than 15% of domestic demand. Why?
One word: feed.
Feed alone makes up 70% of poultry production costs. And the two main ingredients — maize and soya beans — are either too expensive or too scarce locally.
That’s why this conversation about reviving Ghana’s poultry sector isn’t just about chickens — it’s about how maize, soya, and youth engagement can reshape our agricultural future.
🐔 Maize & Soya: The Heartbeat of Poultry Feed
🌽 Maize – More Than Just Kenkey
We often think of maize as food — kenkey, banku, or roasted corn by the roadside. But for poultry, maize is the No.1 source of energy. A broiler needs about 65% maize-based feed in its diet.
Ghana produces a fair amount of maize, but here’s the problem: we’ve got competition. Humans eat maize. So do breweries, corn millers, and livestock. And climate change hasn’t helped. Irregular rains, armyworms, and poor storage systems are driving up prices and cutting down supply.
What’s the solution? We need to invest in drought-resistant maize seeds, promote local maize farming clusters, and support farmers with fertilizers and irrigation. If the government or private sector can subsidize production for feed-grade maize, we could stabilize prices and cut poultry production costs significantly.
🌱 Soya – The Protein Powerhouse
Soya is the second-biggest ingredient in poultry feed. It’s what gives birds their muscle and helps them grow fast. But Ghana produces less than 30% of its soya demand for animal feed. The rest? Imported.
This is a huge opportunity. The Northern Region, Upper East, and Upper West have the perfect climate for large-scale soya production. With the right seeds, extension services, and support from aggregators, we could become self-sufficient — even an exporter of soya one day.
👨🏾🌾 The Youth Are the Missing Link
Let me ask you: When was the last time you saw a 25-year-old talking about starting a maize or soya farm?
The truth is, many Ghanaian youth think farming is dirty, difficult, and for “old men in the village.” But what if we flipped the narrative?
🔁 Youth in Agribusiness = Fresh Energy + Tech Innovation
Imagine university graduates using drone tech to monitor maize farms, or creating mobile apps for feed price tracking, or even forming cooperatives to process and package locally produced feed.
With a little support — say, start-up capital, agribusiness mentorship, or land leasing schemes — we could unleash a new generation of agro-entrepreneurs. Already, initiatives like NEIP, YEA, and Planting for Food and Jobs are laying the groundwork.
But we need to go deeper — local assemblies, chiefs, churches, and even private investors should step in to offer mentorship, grants, or land to motivated youth ready to farm maize and soya for the poultry sector.
💡 Practical Steps to Rebuild the Poultry Chain
Here’s a simple game plan:
1. Build Local Feed Mills
Encourage feed companies to establish mills close to maize and soya farming zones. This reduces transport costs and boosts local economies.
2. Promote Outgrower Schemes
Poultry farmers can sign long-term contracts with maize/soya farmers to ensure consistent supply. Everyone wins.
3. Link Poultry Cooperatives with Youth Farms
Create direct linkages between young maize/soya farmers and poultry producers. Platforms like WhatsApp, Facebook, or even USSD codes can make it easier.
4. Encourage Government-Backed Feed Banks
Set up regional feed banks with subsidized raw materials — especially during lean seasons. This prevents price spikes and protects local poultry from collapse.
🇬🇭 Real Ghanaian Success Story
In Tamale, I met a 28-year-old entrepreneur, Salam Fuseini, who started a 10-acre soya farm through a youth agricultural project. Today, he supplies raw soya to a local feed company and earns over GH¢6,000 every harvest season. His profits go into raising layers on a nearby poultry farm. He’s employing three workers and mentoring other young people.
His message? “If we grow the feed, we’ll grow the chickens. It’s that simple.”
🔁 Let’s Bring the Birds Back Home We don’t need to keep importing frozen chicken from Brazil or the US. Ghana has the land, the talent, and the spirit to revive its poultry industry — but we must start from the ground up, literally.
Maize. Soya. Youth.
These three are more than buzzwords — they’re the foundation of a self-reliant poultry sector.
🗣️ What’s Your Take?
Have you tried farming maize or soya? Are you a youth interested in agribusiness? Or maybe you’re just tired of buying imported chicken? Whatever your story, share it in the comments below.
👉 Want more insights on agribusiness and smart farming in Ghana? Join our newsletter and get free tips, market trends, and funding alerts delivered weekly!
Let’s build a better, bird-filled Ghana — together. 🇬🇭🐓
blogpay
Total Comments: 0