The Government of Ghana has rolled out the Nkoko Nkitinkiti policy in the Techiman Municipality of the Bono East Region to support 200 households under its backyard poultry initiative aimed at improving livelihoods and strengthening food security.

The Director in charge of Agricultural Services at the Techiman Municipal Directorate of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA), Mr. Stephen Edu, disclosed this in an exclusive interview with the Information Services Department in Techiman. He emphasized government’s readiness to fully implement all three phases of the policy to ensure its long-term success.

Mr. Edu explained that the first phase of the program, known as the “backyard poultry initiative,” has already been successfully rolled out, with 10,000 birds distributed to beneficiary households across the municipality. He urged beneficiaries to make effective use of the birds to maximize productivity and improve their incomes.

He noted that the remaining two phases of the program would be implemented in batches by the Ministry of Food and Agriculture in the coming months to expand the impact of the initiative.

The Municipal Veterinary Officer, Dr. Ruth Opoku, reiterated the importance of good poultry management practices to reduce high mortality rates and ensure the sustainability of the program. She advised beneficiaries to adhere strictly to vaccination schedules, proper feeding, and hygienic housing conditions to safeguard the birds.

Mr. Osman Mustapha, the Officer in charge of Livestock at the Municipal Directorate, also expressed concern about the limited knowledge of some beneficiaries in transporting and handling poultry. He cautioned that poor handling practices could increase mortality rates and undermine the objectives of the policy.

The Nkoko Nkitinkiti policy forms part of government’s broader efforts to promote local poultry production, enhance household incomes, and improve food security at the community level. Authorities believe the initiative will not only reduce dependence on imported poultry products but also create employment opportunities, particularly for women and youth in the municipality.