The Chief Executive Officer of Rockland Farms, Edith Akosah Wheathland, says the company has integrated nearly 8,000 smallholder maize farmers into its poultry value chain as part of efforts to reduce production costs, increase local chicken output and lessen Ghana's dependence on imported poultry products.

Speaking on Joy Business' Can Ghana Feed Itself? The Future of Poultry Beyond Nkoko Nkitinkiti programme, Ms Wheathland said, feed remained the single biggest cost component in broiler production, compelling the company to establish its own feed mill and build a reliable local supply chain for maize.

"We realised that 80% of the cost of the broiler is the feed. Buying it from somewhere was making our cost of production higher, so we set up our own feed mill," she said.

She explained that Rockland Farms works directly with the farmers by providing technical support and agronomic training to improve maize yields while guaranteeing a dependable source of raw materials for feed manufacturing.

According to her, the arrangement has strengthened the entire poultry value chain by creating a mutually beneficial relationship between crop farmers and poultry producers.

Ms Wheathland disclosed that the company is preparing for a major expansion with the construction of a processing plant capable of handling 2,000 birds per hour, describing large-scale production as essential to making locally produced chicken more competitive.

"What we are doing now is half of what we have planned. We need to produce in large volumes," she said.

She added that operating under the government's proposed 24-hour economy policy could significantly increase output.

"We can produce about 40,000 birds a day," she said, noting that such expansion would create employment opportunities across farming, feed production, processing, transportation and distribution.

The Rockland Farms CEO also revealed plans to convert poultry waste—including feathers, blood and intestines—into commercially viable products to improve efficiency, minimise waste and lower production costs.

She said adopting circular economy practices would enhance the sustainability and profitability of poultry production.

Ms Wheathland said findings from market research funded by the Dutch government showed strong consumer preference for locally produced chicken despite its relatively higher price.

"What we realised is that Ghanaians are willing to pay a little bit extra for the locally produced chicken. One of their issues is availability," she said.

To stimulate demand and encourage private investment, she urged the government to introduce procurement policies requiring public institutions to prioritise locally produced poultry.

"The government should make it a rule of law for state institutions to buy locally produced chicken," she said.

She explained that schools, hospitals, prisons and other state institutions represent a significant market capable of driving sustained investment in domestic poultry production.

Ms Wheathland said a coordinated approach involving government, financial institutions and private investors would accelerate growth in the poultry industry, improve food security, create jobs and substantially reduce Ghana's reliance on imported chicken.