Government has paid about GH¢1.8 million to 25 farmers whose birds were destroyed following the bird flu outbreak in the country about six months ago.
The outbreak saw about 40,000 birds destroyed avoid a spread.
At a ceremony held in Accra on Wednesday to present cheques to the affected farmers, the Minister of Food and Agriculture, Fiifi Kwetey, urged them [farmers] to report cases on time to facilitate early payment.
He stated that the compensation is only for birds, feeds and eggs that were destroyed by veterinary officers in an attempt to contain the virus from spreading to other farms.
“We adopted a simple formula for payment of compensation based on the market of live birds, eggs and feeds. Precisely, we are paying 90% of current market value of poultry, poultry products and feeds to the affected farmers.
The total number of farmers processed for payment is 25,” he added.
Fiifi Kwetey said the number of birds of various species and ages destroyed stands at 44,144 and the amount to be paid to these farmers is GH¢ 1, 670,355 representing 90 % of total current market value.
“We know that this might be enough for affected farmers but we are pleading with them to bear with government for now,” the Minister added.
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By: Kojo Agyeman/citifmonline.com/Ghana