Why Ghanaian graduates are steering clear of broiler farming

A study has found that many Ghanaian undergraduates are reluctant to enter the broiler value chain after graduation, despite its job creation and economic potential.

The research explored students’ perceptions of socio-cultural, economic, policy, and resource-related factors influencing their willingness to participate in broiler production and related activities.

 Published in the SAGE Journals, the study, involved 728 undergraduate students drawn from four public universities in Ghana.

High feed costs emerged as the most significant challenge, with most respondents agreeing that it negatively affects profitability.

One key concern identified was the perception that existing government policies do not adequately support the growth and profitability of broiler value chain businesses.

Students also noted that depreciation of the Ghanaian currency increases production costs, making broiler enterprises less sustainable.

The study highlights that greater involvement of graduates in the broiler value chain could help reduce graduate unemployment, inject technical expertise into the poultry industry, and enhance its long-term sustainability.

To attract more graduates into the sector, the researchers, including the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources’ Prof. Robert Aidoo, recommend targeted interventions by government and development partners.

These include addressing industry-specific challenges, removing socio-cultural barriers, creating an enabling business environment, ensuring macroeconomic stability, and improving access to land and risk mitigation measures such as insurance for start-ups.