Moses Jackson Asabil
A poultry farmer in the Ashanti Region is calling on the government to take immediate steps to revive Ghana’s struggling poultry industry, warning that the sector is on the brink of collapse due to high production costs and prolonged neglect.
Mr. Moses Jackson Asabil, Chief Executive Officer of M.J Asabil Farms located at Manso-Akropong in the Amansie West District, made a heartfelt appeal to the Minister of Food and Agriculture, Eric Opoku, to prioritise investment in poultry production. He described the sector as a “vibrant economic driver” capable of reducing youth unemployment and strengthening the national economy.
Founded in 2019, M.J Asabil Farms is known for producing quality eggs, live broilers, dressed chicken, and organic fertilisers. However, Mr. Asabil says the business climate has become increasingly hostile, with many farms folding up due to overwhelming operational costs.
He noted that the withdrawal of government incentives — particularly subsidies on poultry feed and related inputs—has left farmers exposed to rising prices. “Today, poultry feed constitutes nearly 90 percent of our production costs. Many farms are shutting down because the margins are no longer sustainable,” he lamented.
Beyond rising costs, Mr. Asabil pointed to environmental and infrastructural challenges specific to the Manso area. He said the proliferation of illegal mining (galamsey) has depleted available farmland and diverted potential labour from agriculture to mining. “Our farm is literally surrounded by abandoned pits. It’s built on reclaimed land, and expanding operations here is nearly impossible,” he said.
He further criticised the poor road infrastructure in the community, which he believes is crippling local trade. “The road network is terrible. Transporters avoid the Manso route entirely, making it hard for us to send goods to market. This affects revenue and growth,” he added.
Mr. Asabil urged the government to take bold steps to support local poultry production as a means of reducing the country’s reliance on imported frozen chicken, which costs Ghana over $100 million annually. “With the right support, we can meet domestic demand for chicken. We have the capacity, experience, and workforce—we only need enabling policies,” he emphasised.
He also called on the Minister for Roads and Highways to urgently include the Manso road network in the national development agenda. “Without good roads, no business can thrive. Fixing our roads will open up the area to more economic activity,” he concluded.
Mr. Asabil’s plea underscores growing concerns within Ghana’s agricultural sector, as farmers continue to grapple with systemic challenges threatening food security and job creation.
FROM David Afum, Manso-Akropong