Bird Flu: Poultry farmers accept GHS 20m compensation from government
The Poultry Farmers Association of Ghana (PFAG) has expressed its gratitude to the government for the GHS 20m compensation given to them for the loss they suffered due to the bird flu that hit many farms last year.
This follows the announcement by the Food and Agriculture Ministry, that some GHS 20 million was given out as compensation to the affected farmers.
Furthermore, the Ministry has agreed to pay GHS 30 for a bird, GHS 10 for a crate of egg and GHS 80 for a bag of feed.
The National President of the Association, Victor Oppong Adjei, indicated that the move by government will go a long way to cushion most of the affected poultry farmers.
But, he raised concerns about the allocated amounts for a bird and a crate of eggs.
“To me, it is not satisfactory, but we’ve sent it to the various regional executives to come out with their views because if they are going to pay GHS 10 for a crate of egg, now the egg is about almost GHS 25 so if you pay GHS 10, it’s on the lower side.
“I think if there had been an engagement, we would have sorted all these things out before we come out. We would accept it because we think that the government has done well for coming out with this compensation.
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“However, we will just plead with the government if there can be an adjustment to the payment because if you reject it totally and you don’t get it, it’s going to be another problem,” he said.
The Agric Minister has indicated that only farmers who have their certificates of destruction approved by the Veterinary Services Directorate qualify for the payment.
Speaking at a press conference in Accra, Dr Afriyie Owusu Akoto explained that the various allocations were made based on available funds.
“To ensure all affected farmers from July 2021 to December 31, 2021, receive some compensation for any losses incurred as a result of the outbreak, the Ministry has agreed to pay GHS 30 for a matured bird, GHS 20 for a pullet, GHS 10 per chick, GHS 80 for a bag of feed and GHS 10 for a crate of egg, based on the amount available immediately,” Dr Afriyie Owusu Akoto said.
“Affected poultry farmers between July-December 31, 2021 should collect their certificates of destruction from the VSD and submit to the Finance and Administration Unit of MoFA for commencement of payments,” he added.
About 203 farms have been affected by the Avian Influenza outbreak which has resulted in the destruction of many birds on these farms.
