Konongo (Ash), April 21, GNA - The unavailability of market for poultry and livestock production in Asante-Akim District is posing a threat to the industry. The problem is fast establishing itself as the major challenge to the farmers in the area despite the increasing number of people embracing the industry. These came to light at a day's seminar to discuss the challenges and prospects in the animal industry with emphasis on alternative feeding regimes at Konongo on Friday. The seminar, which was organized by Ghana Agro Food Company (GAFCO), was on the theme, "Feed and Feeding Management and its Impact on Livestock Production".

Over 200 poultry, livestock and fish farmers drawn from Asante-Akim North and

South districts attended it. During an open forum, the farmers took turns to express their displeasure about

the lack of market for their birds and livestock, saying, it was a disincentive to their

efforts. They said the situation was a threat to their businesses and called on the

government to create marketing avenues for them to sustain the industry. Mr Lawrence Obeng, a representative of GAFCO, appealed to the farmers to use

professional expertise in the management of their farms in order to achieve results. He said marketing was a core component of the management of farms hence

imperative to source for marketing avenues before going into production. Mr Obeng urged the farmers to move away from the traditional way of managing

their farms and adopt a more professional method to maximize profit.