Ghanaian poultry farmers have bemoaned government?s delay in releasing imported maize onto the market to control the increasing price of the commodity.

The Ministry of Food and Agriculture imported 15,000 metric tons of yellow maize three months ago to augment local stock, but according to poultry farmers, the consignment is still locked up in warehouses at Kpong in Greater Accra.

According to the Chairman of Poultry Farmers Association, Kojo Asante, members of his association have been compelled by the situation to buy poultry feed at very exorbitant prices.

In an interview with Nhyira FM?s Ohemeng Tawiah, Kojo Asante said their plight has been communicated to the Office of the Chief of Staff, the Ministry of Finance among others, yet, nothing has been done.

Kojo Asante accused the Ministry of Food and Agriculture of deliberately crippling the poultry industry by hoarding the feed. He said the ministry has also looked on unconcerned as imported frozen chicken take over their broiler business.

The Chairman of Poultry Farmers Association said if government refusal to release the maize is a ploy to sabotage their egg business, then they will advise themselves accordingly.

The Ministry of Food and Agriculture last year received support from the Agriculture Development Bank to start importation of the maize to boost the local poultry industry.