Poultry farmers across the country are complaining over the high cost of poultry feed on the market, especially soya cake, which is a primary feeding component for poultry. This is as a result of low cultivation of soya, which has led to shortage of soya bean on the market coupled with lack of supplies from companies such as the Ghana North in Techiman and Versta Oil in Kumasi. In an interview with Adom Business News, the National Chairman of the Ghana National Poultry Farmers Association, Kwadwo Asante said this has led to high cost of production. Mr. Asante said dependence on imported soya cake for their operations, has contributed to an increase in the price of chicken from GH¢ 7, at the farm gate to GH¢10. According to Mr. Asante 50 kilograms of soya cake which used to sell at GH¢40, now sells at GH¢50. The farmers say even though fish meal could be an alternative source of feeding, they prefer soya cake due to its high nutritional value. "Resorting to fish meal is not easy because it involves a lot of risk since it often contains unforeseen bacteria which can lead to the death of some birds," he stated. Apart from that Mr. Asante said fish meal is even expensive than soya cake. Fish meal, they say, ranges from GH¢140 per 50 kilogram downwards depending on the quality. The farmers have therefore appealed to government to resuscitate the poultry industry. Story: Afia Akyere/Adom News