Ministry Asks Livestock Producers To Submit Plan Of Action

Legon (GAR), Aug. 14, - The Ghana Society of Animal Production (GSAP) was today urged to submit proposals that will accelerate livestock and animal production. Dr. Kwabena Adjei, Minister of Food and Agriculture, who made the call at the 10th annual celebration of the GSAP at Legon, said the proposals should reach the Ministry within 30 days. The celebration on the theme, "Animal Protein For a Healthy Nation" is being attended by animal producers from the Ministry of Agriculture, Universities, the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) , veterinary medicine manufacturers and training institutions as well as private commercial farmers. Dr Adjei said the Ministry would welcome any support and business proposals from individuals and groups as well. He said livestock production in the country is very low adding that it contributes between five and nine percent of the gross national product. The domestic meat production is only 20 to 22 per cent of the internal demand, he said, adding that the balance is made up by imports. Dr Adjei provided statistics of internal meat production as follows; cattle-34 per cent, sheep-20 per cent, goats -15 per cent, pigs- 19 per cent and poultry -12 per cent. Egg production is '' the only product that the country comes close to being self-sufficeint and even here cost of production has made the price quite expensive". Dr Adjei said prior to 1981, livestock production was not making much progress and importation of breeds was undertaken by a few organizations either for slaughter or research work. As a result, the impact on the improvement of the general livestock population is insignificant. Erractic supply and prohibitive prices of inputs, seasonal lack of water and feed for livestock and difficult or poor access to veterinary services created an unfriendly environment for producers, both in the public and private sectors. In the circumstance, Dr Adjei said, livestock production became a risky, capital intensive and low productivity business.