A new piggery and meat processing factory has been inaugurated in Barekese, Ashanti Region, to meet Ghana’s rising demand for pork. The Piggery for Jobs initiative seeks to address critical gaps in the agricultural sector, driven by factors such as urbanization, population growth, and shifting dietary trends. Between 2017 and 2022, Ghana imported approximately 7,000 metric tonnes of pork, highlighting the need to strengthen local production, according to Trade Data LLC.
The project is a collaboration between the Ghanaian company Piper Pretty Limited and the German Cooperation Agency (GIZ). It aims to enhance the pig farming value chain, stimulate economic development, ensure food security, and uplift livelihoods nationwide.
Since its launch, the Piggery for Jobs project has trained over 700 farmers and their workers. These training programs cover animal welfare, proper husbandry practices, biosecurity measures, and awareness of social protection schemes, including pensions and insurance.
Speaking at the launch event, Mr. Wilhelm Hugo, Coordinator of the Sustainable Economic Development Cluster at GIZ, highlighted the key challenges facing Ghana’s pig farming sector. “Managing diseases, particularly African swine fever, is a major obstacle,” he said. “This initiative will address these issues by introducing robust biosecurity protocols, vaccination efforts, and disease monitoring systems, paving the way for the piggery industry’s growth.”
A key feature of the initiative is the state-of-the-art meat processing factory built by Piper Pretty Limited. Capable of processing and packaging up to 35,000 pigs annually, the facility aims to create a sustainable market for local farmers while ensuring the availability of high-quality pork products for consumers.
“This facility is a game-changer for the piggery value chain,” remarked Mr. Isaac Owusu Asubonteng, CEO of Piper Pretty Limited. “It provides farmers with a dependable market and ensures consumers have access to well-processed, premium products.”
The project is expected to generate at least 300 new jobs across the piggery value chain and improve conditions for more than 700 farmers in the Ashanti Region.
Implemented by GIZ and Piper Pretty Limited, the initiative forms part of the Invest for Jobs program under Germany’s Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).
Source: TheDotNews