Tag: Rice

  • Rice farms in Gomoa Okyereko destroyed by flooding

    Rice farms in Gomoa Okyereko destroyed by flooding

    The recent release of a temporary bridge blockage by a contractor working on the Kasoa-Winneba Highway dualization has led to the flooding of over 100 acres of rice farms in Gomoa Okyereko, Gomoa East District.

    Farmers in the area reported that the contractor, who had initially blocked River Ayensu for the construction of a modern bridge, failed to inform them before releasing the blockage.

    As a result, the sudden influx of water submerged vast portions of their rice fields, damaging crops that had been cultivated through significant investment.

    In a conversation with Adom News, several farmers expressed their distress, revealing that many had taken out loans to finance their farming activities.

    They emphasized that the unexpected water release has left them with enormous losses and no time to prepare.

    These farmers are now calling on the government for immediate intervention, requesting emergency support and compensation to help them recover from the calamity.

    They warned that the damage not only jeopardizes their livelihoods but also threatens local food production and economic stability in the area.

    Margaret Naana Ackon, the District Chief Executive for Gomoa East, acknowledged the scale of the damage and assured the farmers that the Assembly would offer assistance.

    She committed to engaging with relevant stakeholders to provide relief and explore possible compensation avenues for the affected farmers.

  • Defence Minister to donate bags of rice, other foodstuffs to GAF amid GHC270m debt owed food suppliers

    Defence Minister to donate bags of rice, other foodstuffs to GAF amid GHC270m debt owed food suppliers

    Defence Minister Omane Boamah will donate a variety of foodstuffs to the Ghana Armed Forces as part of efforts to solve the acute food crisis the forces face.

    In a post on Facebook, he wrote, “This morning I’ll be donating one thousand bags of rice, thousands of Marckerel tin fish, thousands of tin tomatoes and thousands of cooking oil to the Ghana Armed Forces.

    This immediate gesture is part of the three prong solution to solve the acute food crisis situation we inherited. I’m referring to the Ghc275, 000, 000.00 owed food suppliers.”

    Dr. Omane Boamah has disclosed that food suppliers for the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) are threatening to cut supplies due to an outstanding debt of GHC270 million.

    Speaking after a crucial meeting last Thursday on ensuring sustainable food provision for the military, Dr. Boamah lamented the financial strain inherited by the current administration.

    In a Facebook post, he criticized the previous government, stating, “It was revealed that the Akufo-Addo Bawumia government did not prioritise food provision for the Ghana Armed Forces.”

    Expressing concern over the repercussions of the debt, he added, “Yet, we all know soldiers don’t march on empty stomachs. Huge food supply debt!”

    According to the Defence Minister, the financial obligation was accumulated between August 2023 and December 2024 under the previous government, leaving suppliers unpaid for months.

    To address the crisis, he assured that Finance Minister Dr. Ato Forson is taking steps to settle both ongoing food supply bills and the inherited arrears.

  • Support local farmers by cutting down on imported rice – Govt told

    Support local farmers by cutting down on imported rice – Govt told

    Head of the National Seed Trade Association, Amos Rutherford Azinu, has urged the government to clamp down on influential groups dominating rice imports, arguing that their activities are hindering the progress of Ghana’s domestic rice sector.

    During an interview on the Citi Breakfast Show on Friday, February 21, Mr Azinu warned that if immediate steps are not taken, small-scale farmers will remain at a disadvantage, unable to compete with imported rice.

    He called on the Minister for Food and Agriculture, Eric Opoku, to implement measures that limit the procurement of foreign rice, particularly by government agencies, and instead prioritize rice cultivated by local farmers.

    Azinu emphasized the importance of establishing clear policies that would increase the consumption of locally grown rice, particularly in institutions such as schools, hospitals, and government offices.

    “There should be a directive that if schools are to buy rice, then it should be Ghana rice. There needs to be a policy to drive demand because if people are still importing rice and using in government functions, then the smallholder farmer will suffer

    “I think the minister [for Food and Agriculture, Eric Opoku] will have a huge task in this matter because the cabal in this industry is not just about talking about it. The guys who are importing have the financial muscle.

    “When you are going to do that, then you have to look at the supply chain, these smallholder farmers, will they be able to increase their supply so we can keep reducing our imports?”

  • Expired rice: Lamens Investments was fined GHS100k due to regulatory breaches – FDA clarifies

    Expired rice: Lamens Investments was fined GHS100k due to regulatory breaches – FDA clarifies

    The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) has clarified that the GH¢100,000 fine imposed on Lamens Investments Africa Limited resulted from multiple regulatory breaches, unrelated to the quality of the Moshosho Rice imported from India.

    According to the FDA, investigations revealed that Lamens Investments re-bagged the rice without obtaining the required prior approval, violating critical safety and compliance protocols.

    Additionally, the re-bagging was carried out in an unlicensed facility without FDA oversight.

    The authority’s statement detailed the infractions, including re-bagging rice without approval, conducting operations in an unauthorized facility, and failing to ensure FDA supervision during the process.

    “The FDA imposed an administrative fine of GH¢100,000 on Lamens Investments Africa Limited for the following regulatory breaches: Re-bagging the rice without prior FDA approval, Conducting re-bagging operations in an unlicensed facility, and Failing to ensure FDA supervision during the re-bagging process,” part of the statement read.

    These violations culminated in the administrative fine.

    The investigation also uncovered that approximately 22,000 bags of 50kg rice, initially imported from India, were falsely labeled as “Made in Ghana.”

    The rice bags lacked essential information such as manufacturing and expiration dates, contravening Ghanaian laws.

    While tests conducted by reputable institutions like the Centre for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) confirmed that the rice was safe for consumption, the FDA emphasized that the importer’s mishandling of the product constituted a serious breach of public health standards.

    As part of its regulatory processes, the FDA approved an extension of the rice’s “Best Before” date from December 20, 2023, to April 30, 2024, following scientific evaluations. However, a subsequent request to extend the date to December 2024 was denied due to insufficient stability data.

    Addressing public concerns about accepting part payments for fines, the FDA explained that this practice ensures accountability while allowing enforcement actions to proceed without delay.

    The authority reaffirmed its commitment to protecting public health through rigorous regulatory enforcement.

    “The FDA imposed an administrative fine of GH¢100,000 on Lamens Investments Africa Limited for the following regulatory breaches: Re-bagging the rice without prior FDA approval, Conducting re-bagging operations in an unlicensed facility, and Failing to ensure FDA supervision during the re-bagging process,” part of the statement read.

    Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, the Member of Parliament (MP) for North Tongu, has alleged that 22,000 bags of expired rice were distributed to Senior High Schools (SHSs) nationwide. He claimed the rice, imported by Lamens Investments, was deliberately re-bagged and falsely labeled as local produce through a collaboration with the National Food Buffer Stock Company.

    Ablakwa stated that the expired rice, branded as “Moshosho Rice,” was re-packaged into sacks labeled “Made in Ghana” and “ECOWAS” but without expiration dates. The MP revealed that the Ashanti Regional Police and FDA initially intercepted the rice but later released it for distribution under directives “from above.”

    He further claimed that an additional 10,000 bags were stored in a Tema warehouse and that investigations into the matter were abandoned after Lamens Investments agreed to pay a GH¢100,000 fine. However, Ablakwa noted that only half the fine had been paid, and the company is now untraceable for the remaining balance.

    According to Ablakwa, FDA test results showed the rice was contaminated, with high acidity levels and the presence of insects. Medical experts reportedly recommended the rice’s destruction.

    The MP is calling for a thorough investigation into the incident and prosecution of those responsible, emphasizing the need to protect public health and ensure accountability in the food supply chain.

  • 22,000 bags of Moshosho Rice supplied to SHSs were wholesome for consumption – FDA confirms

    22,000 bags of Moshosho Rice supplied to SHSs were wholesome for consumption – FDA confirms

    The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) has assured the public that the 22,000 bags of 50kg Moshosho Rice imported from India and distributed to Senior High Schools (SHSs) were safe for consumption at the time of testing.

    According to the Director of Legal and Corporate Affairs for the FDA, Joseph Yaw-Bernie, rigorous evaluations were conducted by the FDA, the Centre for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), and an accredited laboratory in India, all of which confirmed the rice met safety and quality standards.

    “When the producer applied for the censure, which is internationally accepted, we looked at the quality of the product,” Mr. Yaw-Bernie explained during an interview on Joy FM’s Midday News on Thursday, November 21.

    He further noted that based on the results of these tests, the best-before date of the rice was extended to April 2024, although the manufacturer had initially requested an extension to December 2024.

    “So those three laboratory tests tell us that the product can still be used based on the qualities that have been tested in the three laboratories. Based on that, the best-before date has been extended to April, not to December as requested by the manufacturer … it was still safe. The issue at stake was the quality, and the three laboratories confirmed the quality of the rice,” he stressed.

    Mr. Yaw-Bernie added that the FDA required Lamens Investments Africa Limited, the importer, to provide additional evidence from the manufacturer for any further extension. “They [Lamens] applied for an extension of the best-before date, and we took them through the processes. Once they qualified to have the date extended, we did that,” he said.

    The assurance comes in the wake of allegations made by the Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, who claimed that the rice was expired and repackaged before being distributed to schools. Mr. Ablakwa has called for the arrest and prosecution of Lamens Investments Africa Limited for what he described as a deliberate act.

    The North Tongu legislator also alleged that the rice was distributed through the Free Senior High School Secretariat in February this year, describing the situation as a potential public health hazard.

    However, Mr. Yaw-Bernie emphasized the FDA’s unwavering commitment to protecting public health and safety, particularly that of children and students. “The authority will not jeopardize the health and safety of Ghanaians, especially children or students, for any reason,” he said.

    He clarified that the GH¢100,000 fine imposed on Lamens Investments was for multiple regulatory violations, including operating an unlicensed facility for repackaging, conducting repackaging without FDA approval, and failing to ensure FDA supervision during the process. The fine was unrelated to the quality of the rice, which remained wholesome.

    “The FDA intervened in the case after receiving a complaint from the police,” Mr. Yaw-Bernie disclosed, adding that the Authority collaborated with law enforcement to halt the unauthorised activity.

    The FDA has reiterated its commitment to upholding its regulatory standards and ensuring the safety of the Ghanaian food supply chain.

  • X users react to young Ghanaian girl carrying 5 bags of rice

    X users react to young Ghanaian girl carrying 5 bags of rice

    A viral video of a young Ghanaian girl carrying five 25 kg bags of rice at once has sparked widespread concern and debate on X (formerly Twitter).

    The footage, showing the girl offloading the bags from a truck, has drawn reactions from users worried about the physical strain and long-term health implications of such labor.

    Many users expressed shock over the sheer weight the girl was carrying, estimated at 125 kg. One user wrote, “Is that 125kg on the spinal cord?? Eeii asem ben kraa nie. Why should anybody work like this before they can eat.”

    Another added, “125kg weight on the skull and neck is no joke. That’s far more than they can support.”

    The incident has also reignited conversations about modernizing traditional labor methods in Ghana. Some users highlighted the availability of tools that could simplify such tasks and reduce physical harm.

    One user commented, “There are simple tools that help offload this type of goods very fast but Ghanaians prefer man power. Eiii.”

    Others highlighted how this circumstance serves as testament to the many risky jobs the Ghanaian youth undertake in order to provide for themselves and their families.

    “I hope our leaders visit our market at night to see how the market women sleep waiting for their goods and also day time the struggles they go through . I think it will help shape them in decision making. People struggling just to feed home.God bless our hustle,” a user wrote.

    https://twitter.com/eddie_wrt/status/1858948877446963221

  • NAFCO, Lamens Investments Africa implicated in supply of expired repackaged food stuff to SHSs

    NAFCO, Lamens Investments Africa implicated in supply of expired repackaged food stuff to SHSs

    A parliamentary oversight investigation led by the Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has exposed a scheme in which Lamens Investments Africa and the National Food Buffer Stock Company (NAFCO) allegedly repackaged over 15,000 50kg bags of expired and contaminated rice.

    This rice, originally packaged with clear expiry dates, was reportedly rebranded in bags lacking expiration information and distributed to Senior High Schools (SHSs) across Ghana, raising serious concerns about the health risks posed to students. According to reports, Bolgatanga Girls’ Senior High School in the Upper East Region and Presbyterian Boys’ Senior High School in Accra, which serves as a central distribution point for SHSs in Greater Accra, received the repackaged rice.

    Mr. Ablakwa revealed that, despite warnings from school administrators, the rice was still delivered to the institutions. In a Facebook post, he shared that the Ashanti Regional Office of the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) was alerted to the unauthorized rebranding on December 20, 2023, after receiving a tip from a concerned Ghanaian citizen.

    “This unauthorized re-packaging was shockingly being carried out at the storage facility of the National Food Buffer Stock Company (NAFCO) in the Ashanti Region. When FDA officials acted on the alert, it emerged that a similar alert had been received by the Ashanti Regional Police Command, and the command had promptly moved in to close the storage facility. The FDA and the Ashanti Regional Police Command then commenced investigations into the matter,” he stated.

    An intercepted FDA report, signed by its Ashanti Regional Head John Laryea Odai-Tettey, disclosed that Lamens Investments Africa and NAFCO, upon realizing that the best-before date for Moshosho Rice was approaching in December 2023, started repackaging the rice from its original yellow 50kg bags into new white bags labeled “CEDAO ECOWAS Regional Food Security Reserve.”

    The new packaging omitted expiration dates, contravening the General Labelling Regulation, LI 1541, as well as obscuring the country of origin. Originally from India, the rice was deceptively labeled as a Ghanaian product, misleading consumers to believe it was a locally-sourced item.

    “This illegal re-packaging was carried out without FDA’s approval as required by law. The National Food Buffer Stock storage facility had neither been licensed for storage or re-packaging contrary to the Public Health Act, 2012 (Act 851). It was determined that the NAFCO storage facility had no qualified or trained person to supervise its activities,” the report revealed.

    Mr. Ablakwa also detailed that Lamens Investments Africa Ltd admitted guilt and initially agreed to an administrative fine of GHS100,000. The FDA received GHS50,000 as a 50% deposit on January 5, 2024. However, an intercepted memo from the Ashanti Regional FDA dated December 29, 2023, indicated that the FDA’s original intention was to impose a fine of GHS150,000, dispose of the rice, and halt all repackaging activities immediately. Despite these efforts, intense political pressure allegedly forced a reduction of the fine and halted the FDA’s original course of action. Mr. Ablakwa claimed that Lamens Investments has since refused to pay the remaining fine.

    In a separate intercepted letter dated December 21, 2023, Superintendent J.J. Boye from the Ashanti Regional Police Command wrote to the FDA’s Regional Director to request assistance with examining the repackaged rice. Mr. Ablakwa shared that an “order from above” arrived before FDA test results were received, demanding that the repackaged rice be distributed to schools. Consequently, the contaminated rice reached schools on February 2, 2024, a mere four days prior to receiving official clearance.

    “Shockingly, even before the test results would arrive from FDA-Accra, a reckless order came from above that the re-packaged rice be distributed to Senior High Schools,” Mr. Ablakwa remarked, adding, “The expired and contaminated re-packaged bags of rice were already distributed to schools on the 2nd of February, 2024 — some four days prior.”

    Mr. Ablakwa accused the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) of shielding those involved from accountability. He claimed that Alhaji Hanan Abdul-Wahab, NAFCO’s CEO and NPP Parliamentary Candidate for the Pusiga Constituency, along with NAFCO’s Board Chairman Henry Nana Boakye, who serves as NPP’s National Organizer, received “full protection” amid these allegations. Additionally, he alleged that Lamens Investments Africa Ltd, a company incorporated in 2020 without a proven track record, was single-sourced for the contract.

    The legislator expressed deep concerns about the health impacts on students, citing risks of food poisoning, exposure to carcinogens, and microbial infections. “Considering that the Moshosho rice expired in December 2023 and that distribution to schools was carried out in February 2024, coupled with the fact that these food items are stored over several months before they are completely consumed in dining halls, we can only imagine the levels of contamination by the time the students consumed the entire quantities,” he added.

    He further emphasized that per Act 851, General Labelling Regulation, LI 1541, individuals involved in mislabeling or misbranding food products violate Ghana’s Public Health Act and should face prosecution. Mr. Ablakwa demanded the immediate arrest of Lamens Investments Africa Ltd’s directors and urged sanctions against NAFCO’s management for allowing unregistered storage facilities to operate.

    “The Ministry of Education must be probed for their conduct in this despicable affair — not only for supervising this rot which severely endangers the health of SHS students but also their reported role as alleged by FDA officials that they piled undue pressure to get the FDA to back off,” he continued.

    The legislator assured his resolve to pursue justice, stating, “We shall not rest until justice is done in this matter.” As of now, NAFCO and Lamens Investments Africa are yet to respond to the allegations raised by Mr. Ablakwa.

  • Why govt has banned rice and maize export

    Why govt has banned rice and maize export

    The government has with immediate effect placed a ban on the export of grains including maize, rice, and soya bean, according to the Minister for Food and Agriculture, Bryan Acheampong.

    According to the sector minister, this directive, effective from now to January 2025 is to check the severe drought that has sparked widespread concerns about food security and the livelihood of thousands of farmers in the northern part of the country.

    The affected regions have been without rain for over two months, with the extended dry spell stunting crop growth and leaving farmers with little hope for a successful harvest

    The Agric Minister during a press briefing today indicated that the affected regions contribute about 62 percent of the country’s grain supply.

    Maize, rice, groundnut, soya beans, sorghum, millet and yam are the most widely affected crops across these regions.

    The government’s directive will ensure the availability of these critical crops on the domestic market.”

    Any farmer with stock interested in selling their grains has been advised to contact the district directorate across the country or the directorate of crops, Ministry of Agriculture.

    Presently, farmers risk losing GHC7.4 billion as a result of potential crop failure due to the dry spell.

  • High interest on loans killing our businesses – Adzoatsi Rice farmers

    High interest on loans killing our businesses – Adzoatsi Rice farmers

    Rice farmers in Adzoatsi, situated in the Ketu North Municipality of the Volta Region, are grappling with crippling financial challenges due to exorbitant interest rates on loans.

    Despite producing high-quality rice, which they believe could rival imported varieties, these farmers are finding it increasingly difficult to sustain their operations.

    The farmers argue that the rice they cultivate is not only of superior quality but could also play a significant role in reducing Ghana’s dependence on imported rice. However, they are hindered by a lack of market access and support from the government and financial institutions.

    During a visit by the Ghana News Agency to their farms, the farmers expressed frustration over the heavy financial burden imposed by local moneylenders. These lenders charge interest rates as high as 50%, making it nearly impossible for the farmers to repay loans and reinvest in their farms.

    “For every GHC 1,000 we borrow, we are expected to repay GHC 1,500 after four months, which is after the harvest,” explained Mr. Wonder Nutekpor, the Secretary of Section 1, CDE Water Users Association. “Even if you take the loan just a month before the harvest, the 50% interest rate still applies. It’s killing us.”

    The farmers also highlighted the lack of proper infrastructure, such as drying facilities, which exacerbates their challenges. Forced to dry their rice in open areas, they often suffer significant losses due to flooding from rain or water from the nearby Kplikpa Dam.

    “We don’t have proper places to dry our rice. We end up using areas where the rain and dam water wash away our hard work,” lamented Madam Mary Avuworda, another farmer. “After all that labour, if you’re lucky to get something, it all goes to repay loans.”

    Despite these obstacles, the farmers remain confident in the quality and quantity of their rice, which they produce every four months. They believe their output, combined with rice from other regions, could feed the entire nation and even create a surplus for export. However, without immediate intervention, their businesses are at risk.

    The farmers are calling on the government, NGOs, and other stakeholders to address the pressing issues they face, including the poor state of access roads, inadequate drainage systems, and the lack of affordable financing options.

    They emphasize that improving these conditions would not only enhance their productivity but also make their rice more competitive in the market, reducing Ghana’s reliance on imports and boosting the local economy.

  • Two jailed by court for stealing over 1,000 bags of rice worth GHC846,000

    Two jailed by court for stealing over 1,000 bags of rice worth GHC846,000

    Two individuals involved in the theft of 1,146 bags of rice valued at GH₵846,000.00 have been sentenced to prison terms by the Tema Circuit Court.

    Abdul Karim Abdul Aziz, a 36-year-old driver, was sentenced to five years each for the two counts of conspiracy to commit a crime and stealing. Ibrahim Mohammed, a 49-year-old transport agent, received a 12-year jail sentence each with hard labour for the same offences. The sentences will run concurrently.

    The court, presided over by Klorkor Okai Mills, issued the sentences after the accused persons were found guilty following a trial in which they pleaded not guilty.

    Chief Inspector Jacob Maalo Kuubal, prosecuting, stated that the complainant, Mr. Emmanuel Quaye Nartey, is a clearing agent, while Aziz is a driver, and Mohammed alias Baba Alhassan is a transport agent.

    According to the prosecution, on July 29, 2023, the complainant engaged Aziz to transport two 20-footer containers containing 1,146 bags of master perfumed rice valued at GH₵846,000.00 from MPS Tema to be delivered at the Trade Pass Commodities warehouse near the slaughterhouse in Tema.

    Prosecution further added that, Aziz, on his way to the warehouse, met Mohammed opposite the 20 bus stop, where they conspired to dishonestly appropriate the rice.

    An accomplice, Abdul Rahman Suleman, is currently on the run.

    Further police investigation revealed that Aziz and Mohammed sent the containers of rice to Prampram, where they were offloaded and sold.

    Mohammed took Aziz to the residence of one Eric Kojo Asiedu, a witness in the case, where Aziz passed two nights, while they looked for buyers.

    Mohammed hired loading boys, including the witness, to offload the 1,146 bags of rice from the containers, and the witness was paid an amount of GH₵200.00 for his services.

    Aziz received an initial amount of GH₵10,000.00 as part of his share of the proceeds and absconded to Tamale, where he met his accomplice, Abdul Rahman Sulemana.

    While in Tamale, Aziz received an additional GH₵100,000.00 from Mohammed through Abdul Rahman Sulemana’s mobile money account as final payment for the sale of the rice.

    Aziz then gave GH₵89,000.00 out of the money received to Sulemana to use in preparing travel documents for him to travel to Saudi Arabia.

    Further police investigation revealed that Aziz abandoned the truck at Tema Community Nine, near Flight Hotel, left the ignition key in the ignition node, and travelled to Tamale, adding that on November 20, 2023, intelligence led to his arrest from his hideout at Wassa Akropong in the Western Region.

    During the investigation, Aziz mentioned that he agreed with Mohammed and Sulemana to divert and sell the rice.

    Witnesses in the case were arrested, and after investigations, the accused persons were charged with the offences and arraigned.

  • My students eat TZ in the afternoon and evening because we only have maize – Jirapa SHS Headmaster

    My students eat TZ in the afternoon and evening because we only have maize – Jirapa SHS Headmaster

    Students at Jirapa Senior High School are currently limited to a diet of either maize or rice for sustenance, as stated by the school’s headmaster, Primus Baro.

    This situation, he explains, is a result of the impact of President Akufo-Addo’s Free SHS policy.

    The lack of a varied menu means that students are left with only rice or maize as their meal options, relying on dishes such as Tuo Zaafi, rice, or porridge for sustenance.

    He noted that, at the time of his statement, rice was not even available, forcing them to rely solely on maize as their food source.

    Students in Jirapa Senior High School have been left with the option of feeding on either maize or rice for survival.

    This is according to the Headmaster of the institution, Primus Baro, who attributes the situation to the impact of Akufo-Addo’s Free SHS policy.

    According to him, his student, are not provided with any menu because all their given is either rice or food made from maize.

    Consequently, they are compelled to rely on Tuo Zaafi, rice, or porridge for their sustenance.

    Baro noted that rice was not even available at the time of his statement, leaving maize as their primary food source.

    “As I speak, apart from maize, I don’t have anything currently now as I sit. And I am mentioning my school. Last week we received some food stuff, and we got maize so much. We didn’t receive rice until yesterday when I had to fall on my PTA to give me some rice. I just came from Accra Central.”

    “I was in Accra and I was trying to find out what was happening. The students have been eating, they will eat TZ in the afternoon and eat TZ in the evening. Don’t forget that they will take koko because there is no tom brown. I don’t have tom brown. I don’t have choco. So they will take koko in the morning.”

    “So it is maize maize maize show. Now one of the problems associated with this kind of thing is that, 1, The Menu- There is nothing like menu in most of our schools now. Because at a point in time, it is true that you may have some particular kind of food. you may have maize at the time. At a point in time you may have rice, plenty, but the maize is not there. What it means is that you have to substitute all maize related meals with the rice. By the time the maize is coming, the rice is gone. So this is one of the things that create imbalances in the system,” he told the media.

  • Local industry collapsing due to ‘heavy’ rice importation – GAWU

    Local industry collapsing due to ‘heavy’ rice importation – GAWU

    The General Agriculture Workers Union (GAWU) has expressed concern over the increase in illegal rice imports flooding the country’s markets.

    Despite official data indicating a decline in rice imports over the past three years, GAWU has noted a significant amount of foreign rice being smuggled into the country through unapproved routes.

    GAWU’s General Secretary, Edward Kareweh, stated that their market assessments and investigations in border communities reveal the presence of rice brands sourced from Togo, Cote D’Ivoire, and Burkina Faso.

    The illegally imported rice is priced between 20 to 30% cheaper compared to locally produced ones, creating an unfair advantage in the market.

    Mr. Kareweh cautioned that this situation threatens to undermine the local rice industry, as local producers struggle to compete effectively.

    “For those in the northern part of the country, much of their rice imports are now coming from Burkina Faso and Togo, and that is how it has flooded the system.

    “When we say that our import values are declining, it is because we are not able to capture the illegal entry of the rice and that is the one that is choking the system because they are cheaper,” Mr. Kareweh said.

    During his State of the Nation Address to Parliament on Tuesday, February 27, President Akufo-Addo highlighted a notable decrease of approximately 45% in rice imports between 2021 and 2023.

    The President stated that rice imports totaled 805,000 metric tonnes in 2021, 650,000 metric tonnes in 2022, and 440,000 metric tonnes in 2023.

    However, the General Agriculture Workers Union has expressed concern that despite the decline in imports, which coincided with an increase in rice consumption, the local rice industry did not experience the anticipated growth.

    “Farmers in the Northern part of the country have harvested their rice, but they cannot get market. A rice mill at Savelugu has been complaining that they will shut down because when they process the rice there is no market for it.

    “This is because the rice market is flooded with imported rice,” he added.

  • Rejected rice now ‘delicacy’ for Nigerians

    Rejected rice now ‘delicacy’ for Nigerians

    Amidst the escalating cost of living in northern Nigeria, an increasing number of individuals are turning to rice grains known as afafata, which are typically discarded by millers or sold to farmers for fish feed.

    The term “afafata” in the local Hausa language translates to “battling,” reflecting the difficulty of cooking and consuming these exceptionally hard grains.

    A rice mill worker in Kano, Isah Hamisu, noted the shifting attitude towards afafata, stating that in the past, such rice was disregarded, but changing times have made it a more viable option.

    Despite being broken, dirty, and tough, the affordability of afafata has made it a popular choice, allowing economically disadvantaged families to include this staple food in their diet.

    The surge in prices in Nigeria, reaching levels unseen in nearly 30 years, is driven by various factors, including global pressures, the cancellation of the fuel subsidy by President Bola Tinubu, and the devaluation of the currency (naira), contributing to inflation.

    As a result, the cost of a standard 50kg bag of rice has risen by over 70% since the middle of the previous year, surpassing the monthly income of a majority of Nigerians.

    Facing economic challenges and cost-of-living protests in some states, many families in the north are turning to afafata as a more affordable option. The rising demand for afafata has even impacted the price of fish, as mentioned by fish farm owner Fatima Abdullahi.

    Nigeria is witnessing its most rapid price increases in almost three decades, exacerbated by global economic pressures. President Bola Tinubu’s decision to eliminate the fuel subsidy, coupled with the devaluation of the national currency, the naira, has further fueled inflation.

    The standard 50kg (110lb) bag of rice, capable of sustaining a household of eight to ten people for a month, has now surged to 77,000 naira ($53; £41). This marks a staggering increase of over 70% since the middle of the previous year, surpassing the monthly income of the majority of Nigerians.

    In response to these economic challenges, an increasing number of families in the north are turning to afafata. However, the rising reliance on this unconventional rice option reflects a larger struggle, leading to protests and challenges in various states.

    Protesters in Niger state, central Nigeria, recently blocked roads and displayed placards, expressing their suffocation under the weight of escalating prices. A similar demonstration unfolded in Kano in the north-west, prompting Governor Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf to acknowledge the presence of starvation in his state, emphasizing the need for a solution.

    For some, the immediate solution lies in afafata, as shared by Hajiya Rabi Isah in Kano. She highlighted the financial constraints that make normal rice unaffordable, with prices soaring to 4,000 naira ($2.70) per bowl. In contrast, afafata, priced at 2,500 naira ($1.69), has become a more viable option to feed her family.

    Market sellers, including Saminu Uba in Kano’s Medile market, have observed a surge in the popularity of afafata. Many customers, faced with the alarming doubling of prices in just two months, are adapting to the economic challenges by opting for the more affordable but less palatable rice option. The economic strain is palpable, with individuals navigating creative solutions to cope with the rapidly changing cost of goods.

    Many more families in the north are now opting to buy afafata
  • OEC trade data shows how Ghana spent $349m on importing toilet paper in 3 years

    OEC trade data shows how Ghana spent $349m on importing toilet paper in 3 years

    Over the years, Ghana has consistently been identified as a nation heavily reliant on imported goods.

    Ghana imports various essential commodities, including toothpicks, toilet paper, rice, ceramic tiles, tomatoes, sugar, poultry, and bottled water.

    While some question the duration of reliance on imports, others argue that these goods are necessary to supplement local production and prevent shortages.

    According to the recent OEC trade statistics report, Ghana expended approximately $349 million on the importation of toilet paper.

    This amount was spent between 2017 to 2021.

    The report highlighted that Ghana’s average import bill on toilet paper stood at about $70 million annually.

    In a chart shared by Joy News and sighted by GhanaWeb Business, a total of $101 million was used to import toilet paper in 2017.

    In 2018, it moved to $97 million while in 2019, it reduced to $58 million.

    Then in the year 2020, the bill stood at $51 million and in 2021, $42 million.

    Per the chart, there has been a downward trend in the money used in the importation of the toilet paper.

  • Falling prices of cement, rice, iron rods reflect economic success – Bawumia

    Falling prices of cement, rice, iron rods reflect economic success – Bawumia


    The New Patriotic Party’s Flagbearer, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, has asserted that recent governmental measures have played a crucial role in achieving macroeconomic stability.

    Dr. Bawumia pointed out the significant decrease in inflation and the reduction in the prices of goods and services as clear indicators of the government’s commitment to revitalizing the Ghanaian economy.

    Speaking at a National Thanksgiving service held at the NPP Headquarters in Accra, Dr. Bawumia expressed optimism about the economic trajectory.

    Acknowledging the challenges posed by the post-Covid-19 era globally, Dr. Bawumia underscored Ghana’s resilience amid the economic and social shocks of the pandemic.

    He emphasized the need for concerted efforts to alleviate the burdens carried into 2023, praising the progress made with gratitude to God.

    “We are already aware that the post-Covid-19 era remains a difficult era in the history of the world and many countries across the globe are still recovering from the economic and social shock the pandemic created, Ghana has been no exception. As a party in power at such a difficult period in our global history, we can only thank God almighty for how far he has brought us.

    “We have to work extra hard to lessen the burden that crossed 2023 with us. We started the year with an inflation rate of 56. 3 percent in January. As we speak the rate for November is 26.4 per cent. A significant drop and when you look at inflation, it has come down.

    Highlighting specific economic achievements, Dr. Bawumia said,“But what is remarkable is that prices of items that we normally buy are falling, cement prices are falling, fuel prices have fallen, cooking oil prices are falling, iron rod prices, rice prices are falling, maize prices are falling and this is telling us that something is happening because normally we see increases but we are seeing a decline in pricing.”

  • Ghana can achieve self-reliance through rice production – Director of Agromach Engineering

    Ghana can achieve self-reliance through rice production – Director of Agromach Engineering

    Amit Kumar Aggarwal, Director of Agromach Engineering Limited, a prominent Rice Mills manufacturer in India, believes Ghana has the potential to achieve self-reliance in rice production and become a net exporter to West African nations.

    Mr. Aggarwal, on a recent visit to assess Ghana’s agricultural landscape, highlighted the vast and fertile lands, along with ample water reserves for irrigation, as key factors. He stressed the need for providing farmers and millers with the right technology and knowledge to process high-quality rice, meeting both domestic and international standards.

    Despite Ghana’s substantial expenditure on rice imports, exceeding GH¢6.8 billion last year, Mr. Aggarwal advocates for increased investment in processing technology.

    With total rice consumption reaching 1.4 million metric tonnes in 2022, there is a significant opportunity to reduce import costs by enhancing local processing capabilities.

    Addressing the media in Accra, Mr. Aggarwal emphasized the importance of stakeholders investing in machinery and receiving proper training to unlock the full potential of Ghana’s rice sector.

    Beyond rice, he highlighted the additional benefits of oil and animal feed derived from rice byproducts, contributing to a holistic and sustainable approach.

    In line with this vision, Agromach has established its West African office in Accra, aiming to supply rice milling machines (ranging from 500kg/hour to 12 tonnes/hour) to farmers and millers across various production scales.

    This initiative seeks to empower every rice farmer with efficient processing means, thereby enhancing the overall quality and competitiveness of locally produced rice.

  • Over 300,000 maggot-infested bags of rice distributed to Senior High Schools – MP reveals

    Over 300,000 maggot-infested bags of rice distributed to Senior High Schools – MP reveals

    Member of Parliament (MP) for Akatsi North, Peter Nortsu-Kotoe, who serves as the minority spokesperson on education, has made shocking claims during the 2024 budget statement on Thursday, November 23, 2023.

    According to Nortsu-Kotoe, over 300,000 bags of maggot-infested rice, known as ‘Lamens’ from India, have been distributed to Senior High Schools (SHS) across the country.

    The MP alleged that the rice, which had been imported in 2021, was stored in a warehouse due to the importer’s failure to pay the required duty.

    Despite the apparent danger it posed to health, Nortsu-Kotoe claimed that the rice was later distributed to schools.

    “Mr. Speaker, as we speak now, there is some rice in the system that has been supplied to Senior High Schools. They call it Lamens, from India. This rice, Mr. Speaker, is maggot-infested,” he asserted.

    He went on to explain the concerning timeline, stating, “When it was imported in 2021, the suppliers or the importers did not pay for the duty on the rice, so it had to be stored in a warehouse. Now they have nicodemusly gone to remove this rice and have distributed them to the Senior High Schools, about 5,000 metric tonnes, which is over 300,000 bags of rice.”

    “The rice is about to expire. A few weeks to expire, they have now distributed them to the Senior High Schools in the country and that is what they are feeding our children with…. Mr. Speaker, this is so serious that we must look at it carefully. Our children, if we don’t take care, when they come back home, they are going to suffer diarrhea and other forms of diseases,” he added.

    The Free SHS policy, which was implemented by the government in 2017, aims to provide free education to all eligible students in public Senior High Schools and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions. The policy covers the cost of tuition, textbooks, meals, boarding, and other fees. The policy has been praised for increasing access and enrolment to secondary education, but also criticized for its challenges in funding, quality, and infrastructure.

  • Ban on rice importation by India, likely impact on Ghana, other African countries

    Ban on rice importation by India, likely impact on Ghana, other African countries

    The recent decision by India, the world’s largest rice exporter, to ban rice exports is expected to have a significant impact on rice prices in Ghana.

    This move by the Indian government, aimed at addressing domestic inflation concerns, has raised concerns about potential global food price increases.

    India accounts for more than 40% of the world’s rice shipments, making it the leading rice exporter. As a result of the export ban, rice prices from various Asian nations have already risen in the global markets, and traders predict further substantial increases in the near future.

    In 2022, Ghana imported rice worth $552 million, making it the 13th largest rice importer globally.

    Rice was the third most imported commodity in Ghana during that year. Notably, Ghana imported rice worth over $100 million from India, according to data from the Observatory of Economic Complexity (OEC).

    The repercussions of this export ban will soon impact Ghana, affecting not only the prices of non-basmati rice but also basmati rice varieties. Experts warn that this ban adds to the challenges faced by the global rice market, which has already experienced price hikes of 15%-20% since September 2022.

    Based on current trends, the cost of a 50kg bag of non-basmati rice, typically priced between GHC750 and GHC800, is expected to surpass GHC1000 in the coming days. As India plays a significant role as a major rice supplier to important markets in Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa, these regions are particularly vulnerable to disruptions in the rice market.

    Moreover, it is important to note that forty-two countries rely on India for over 50% of their total rice imports, making it difficult to easily substitute Indian imports with those from other major rice exporting nations like Vietnam, Thailand, or Pakistan. In Africa, India’s market share in 2022 surpassed 80% for several countries.

  • Imports of rice, poultry to be reduced by 40% in mid-year budget

    Imports of rice, poultry to be reduced by 40% in mid-year budget

    In the upcoming 2023 mid-year budget, the finance minister plans to impose a 40% restriction on the importation of rice and chicken.

    The details of this restriction are expected to be outlined when the finance minister presents the budget to parliament on July 25, 2023. Alongside this measure, the budget is likely to introduce various new taxes and levies.

    However, several trade unions have voiced their concerns, urging the government not to introduce additional taxes, as citizens are already burdened by existing ones.

    During the presentation of the 2023 budget statement and economic policy to parliament on November 24, 2022, the Minister of Finance had previously announced the government’s intention to support the private sector in targeting specific products for import substitution.

    The goal is to replace up to approximately 45% of the country’s annual imports, as this would alleviate pressure on the cedi, the national currency.

    “Mr. Speaker, as I have already indicated, Ghana’s heavy dependence on imports places tremendous pressure on the Cedi, creating an unfavourable balance of payments position. On average, Ghana’s import bill exceeds US$10 billion annually and is accounted for by a diverse range of items that include iron, steel, aluminium, sugar, rice, fish, poultry, palm oil, cement, fertilizers, pharmaceuticals, Toilet roll, toothpick, fruit juices, etc.,” he said.

    Ofori-Atta said the government through partnerships with the private sector will ensure the establishment of various manufacturing plants to produce such products locally.

    “We currently have the capacity as a country to locally produce items that account for about 45 percent of the value of our annual imports. These include rice, fish, sugar, poultry, cement, pharmaceuticals, jute bags, computers, etc. To this end, Government will target these products for import substitution by supporting the private sector, through partnerships with existing and prospective businesses to expand, rehabilitate and establish manufacturing plants targeted at producing these selected items,” the minister said.

  • 22 Agou residents hospitalised after eating at a funeral

    22 Agou residents hospitalised after eating at a funeral


    A reported case of food poisoning in the farming community of Agou, located in the Nkwanta South of the Oti Region, has led to the hospitalization of twenty-two individuals.

    These individuals experienced symptoms of acute diarrhea and other related ailments after consuming food at a funeral on Sunday morning.

    Thirteen of the victims have been admitted to Nkwanta South Municipal Hospital, while the remaining nine are receiving treatment at Nkwanta St. Joseph Catholic Hospital.

    Dr. Theophilus Amoatey, the Medical Superintendent of Nkwanta Municipal Hospital, stated in an interview that all the affected individuals presented symptoms of vomiting and acute diarrhea.

    According to reports, the victims were served food including porridge, rice, Banku, Meat and Pito a locally brewed drink made from wheat and maize.

    He said their samples have been taken to the laboratory for examination whilst a team of disease control management has been deployed to the community for proper investigation.

    At St Joseph Catholic Hospital’ the nursing officer, David Amenudzi, and colleagues who were on duty when the victims were admitted, said most of them were not in any life-threatening situation at the time of admission.

    However, some of the patients and relatives interviewed from the two hospitals said they ate rice, banku and meat, after which they had diarrhea and severe stomach pain.

  • Cost of local rice shoots up in Bolga following extinction of US polished rice on the market

    Recently, the cost of a bowl of local rice in Bolga in the Upper Upper East Region has rapidly shot up to GH¢30. The same quantity of rice was sold at GH¢20 just a few months ago.

    Many have attributed the hike in price to the extinction of the US-based polished rice which has been extinct on the market for the past five months.

    This brand of rice has always been a hot cake among buyers because according to many consumers, it does not stick together when cooked.

    They are blaming the situation on the fact that consumers of the US-based polished rice were now drifting to the local rice, as they do not have any other alternative.

    This they said, has increased the demand for the locally grown rice, thereby leading to price increase.

    They spoke to GhanaWeb’s Upper East Regional correspondent, regarding the matter.

    Madam Lamisi noted that the US brand of polished rice had been missing on the market for the past five months.

    She explained that the development was due to the depreciation of the Ghana cedi.

    She noted that their suppliers in Burkina Faso explained that they could no longer supply due to the depreciation fn the cedi; they felt they would not be able to afford anymore.

    “They said the (CFA Franc) is high so when they buy and bring, we cannot buy. We too, we don’t have the (CFA Franc) so that we can use it to buy,” she stated.

    Madam Lamisi, intimated that many customers initially kept asking of that brand for a long time, and subsequently got used to the local rice and other brands.

    “At first, they used to ask of the US one, but when they noticed that it was no longer there, they started buying the other types and they are beginning to like them,” she said.

    She however indicated that business moved faster when the USA brand was available.

    A rice seller madam Mary, indicated that when the US rice was on the market, the affluent customers purchased that, whiles the poor purchased the locally grown rice.

    “When that polished rice was there, the rich people were buying that one, while the poor were buying the local rice,” she said.

    She expressed worry that the current hike in the cost of locally grown rice was at the disadvantage of the poor.

    “Now that the price of the local rice has gone up here, the poor people are suffering because it is not easy for them to buy. It is very difficult for them now,” she lamented.

    Another seller Madam Lizzy, rather wondered why people liked the USA brand of rice. According to her, there are other brands of rice that are equally good.

    “I don’t know why people do not want to try the other types of rice. Look at this brand of rice, it is equally very good and even better in taste. Just try it and see, you will come back for more,” she said.

    “l don’t know whether it is because it has a very bright colour, l don’t know why people like it like that. When it even got finished, people were putting other rice in the US sacks and selling and they were buying because they know if it is that one they will buy,” she revealed.

    “Sometime ago, a man went to a store and bought a bag of rice in a US rice sack. When he got home, he realized that it was a different kind of rice and he quickly sent it back,” she recalled.

    She however noted that many people have now embraced the local rice, as they have noticed that is good.

  • Competitive African Rice Platform chair fires back at profiteering claims

    The chairman of the Competitive African Rice Platform, Yaw Adu Opoku, pushed back against concerns that profiteering from some traders and producers is driving food inflation.

    Speaking on the Citi Breakfast Show, Mr. Opoku noted that he was not making excessive profits from his investments in the rice value chain.

    “I invest not less than GH¢6,000 on a ton, from farm gate to the retail levels. My margin is not GH¢200. So check. What is the percentage? So if someone talks about profiteering, I beg to differ.”

    “It is passion, not profiteering. That is what is driving us, not profiteering. We are not making money out of this,” Mr. Opoku added.

    Food inflation is currently at 43.7 percent and traders have been accused of profiteering amid Ghana’s economic crisis.

    Ghana was earlier ranked 1st by the World Bank for having the highest food prices in Sub-Saharan Africa in 2022.

    According to the World Bank’s October 2022, Africa Pulse Report, food prices have gone up by 22 percent since January.

    On some of his costs, he said last year, he was paying GHS 14,000 to transport 100 tons of rice from Tamale to Tema.

    This has gone up to GHS60,000 to transport the same amount of rice from Tamale to Tema.

    At the farm gate, he also said he last week, was paying GHS3,200 for a ton of paddy but this week, he is paying GHS4,800 from the same farm.

    Despite this, Mr. Opoku said his rice has been selling for GHS750 for 50 kg, up from GHS500 last week.

    He believes the current economic situation is bleak and “we are caught in a vice, all of us.”

    “Fuel has jumped up. When the pump price goes down, the transporter will not go down. And the dollar has also gone up so when these two things class, we the ones who deal in them suffer.”

     

     

  • Rice shipment brings relief to shortage-hit Comoros

     

    It’s late in the evening in the Comorian capital of Moroni but the city’s port is filled with eager faces.

    An 800-tonne rice shipment docked in the Indian Ocean archipelago and was offloaded on October 3, after three months of shortages that have sharpened hunger and stoked unrest.

    “We can officially declare the end to the rice shortage,” Ben Abdallah Youssouf of Onicor said.

    Onicor is a state body that holds a monopoly on imports and trade in “ordinary” rice, the cheapest and most consumed variety.

    But many locals who have struggled to put food on the table in recent weeks said they were far from convinced.

    “They say there’s enough rice for everyone, but I don’t believe it anymore,” said Ben Laden, who like many others had joined the crowd at the dock in the hope of getting his hands on a sack.

    Like the rest of the world, the Comoros, with a population of about 890,000 between Madagascar and the east coast of the African continent, has suffered from soaring grain prices and food supply shortages.

    But in a few months, the rice crisis has reached a climax here and caused clashes in the small poor nation, which imports most of its consumption from India and Pakistan.

    The shortage of “white gold”, as the cereal is known here, was first felt cruelly on the island of Anjouan, the most densely populated of the archipelago.

    Rationing was put in place, with one 25-kilo bag sometimes enough for six families. Over the weeks, the queues have grown longer in front of the distribution points. The wait often lasted for hours. Some put a brick to mark their place while they went about their business.

     

    Source: African News

  • Eating rice is more dangerous than cocaine – Osofo Kojo Bentil

    Founder and Leader of Onyame Kese Krom with the central tenet and brand name MEKRA known as Osofo Kojo Bentil has revealed that eating rice is more harmful to the human body than cocaine.

    To him, rice is more dangerous than cocaine because it contains twenty-five (25) cubes of unnatural sugar that causes great damage to the human system.

    The man who describes himself as a person with the heart and mission to serve people in this generation argued that due to society misconceptions, the populace have been made to believe that rice is healthier than cocaine.

    Osofo Kojo Bentil said since cocaine is easy to resist and therefore nobody worries much when they don’t take it in their system, it is not dangerous as compared to rice.

    “Do you know that rice is more dangerous than cocaine? It’s a fact because every bowl of rice contains 25 cubes of sugar, that’s unnatural sugar and do you know what those unnatural sugars do in our body. It causes harm” he said on Okay FM’s ‘Best Entertainment Show’ hosted by Halifax Ansah-Addo.

     

    Source: Ghanaweb

    DISCLAIMER: Independentghana.com will not be liable for any inaccuracies contained in this article. The views expressed in the article are solely those of the author’s, and do not reflect those of The Independent Ghana

     

  • Discount on imports of general goods reduced to 30%, 10% for vehicles

    Importers now have a 30% discount on general goods and a 19% discount on imported vehicles into the country.

    The benchmark values on imports have been reduced from 50% to 30% on general goods and 30% to 10% on vehicles.

    The reduction comes after a consensus between Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta and the Ghana Union of Traders Association (GUTA), Association of Ghana Industries (AGI), Institute of Freight Forwarders the Ghana Revenue Authority.

    The Ghana Revenue Authority in January announced the reversal of benchmark values on imports.

    But the trading community vehemently hit against it, saying it would increase general prices of goods and services in the country.

    However, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo ordered the GRA to halt the suspension and allow for stakeholder engagements to be done.

    The Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) suspended the implementation of the reversal of discounts on benchmark values until further notice.

    In a statement issued on Thursday, January 13, 2022, the authority said the decision was to enable further engagements with all the relevant stakeholders.

    According to Joy Business reports, after the consultative meetings, it emerged that government might implement the new adjustments in March 2022 as preparations are underway for a final announcement.

    “Traders are very happy that the government listened to our concerns. In the end, the business community both GUTA and the AGI has been compensated and the consuming public not surcharged,” the Finance Minister said.

    The government introduced the benchmark value reduction policy in 2019, in accordance with the World Customs Organisation policy of regular review of valuation database.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Let’s patronize locally produced rice – Sunyani MCE

    Ghanaians have been urged to patronise locally produced rice to boost the local market.

    Madam Justina Owusu-Banahene the Sunyani Municipal Chief Executive Officer gave the advice when she addressed the Municipal celebration of the 36th National Farmers Day held at Atronie in the Municipality.

    She said local rice had rich nutritional content and high patronage and consumption would create domestic markets and motivate farmers to produce more to enhance food security.

    Mad. Owusu-Banahene indicated that despite the COVID-19 Pandemic, farmers in the Municipality produced enough rice and foodstuff to meet local demand.

    The celebration was held on the theme: “Ensuring Agribusiness Development in COVID-19: Challenges and Opportunities”.

    Mad. Owusu-Banahene noted the COVID-19 pandemic had changed had affected every aspect of social life slowing down business activities in the Municipality and advised farmers to take advantage of the Planting for Food and Jobs programme, register and expand their farming activities.

    She congratulated farmers, particularly the award winners for their hard work, and appealed to them to ensure proper application of agro-chemicals to guard against food poisoning.

    Mad. Owusu-Banahene said President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo’s government had made agriculture attractive and advised the unemployed youth in the Municipality to engage in farming as a commercial entity to improve on their socio-economic livelihoods.

    He also called on the farmers to vote for President Akufo-Addo and Mr Kwasi Ameyaw-Cheremeh, the incumbent Sunyani East Member of Parliament in the December 7 general election.

    Mr John Ofosu Denkyera, the Municipal Director of Agriculture noted rice production in the area had increased tremendously saying, very soon the government would provide storage facilities for the produce.

    He told the awardees to preserve their certificates because that could aid them to access loans from financial institutions.

    Mr Kwaku Takyi, 52 years, won the Municipal best farmer and received a certificate, tricycle, spraying machine, cutlasses, wellington boots, and some agro-chemicals.

    Mr Samuel Boateng, 29, was the first runner up and he had a certificate, double-decker refrigerator, spraying machine, cutlasses, and wellington boots.

    Other 21 deserving farmers were also honoured and received prizes ranging from radio sets, cutlasses, wellington boots, spraying machines, wax prints, bicycle and other farm inputs.

    Source: GNA

  • Deputy Minister hands over site for development of 300 hectares valley for rice production

    The Deputy Minister of Food and Agriculture, Mr.Sagre Bambage, has handed over 300 hectors of farm land for the development of a valley for rice production at Kojope, a suburb of Busunu, in the West Gonja Municipality of the Savannah Region.

    The field is to developed by the Ministry of Food and Agriculture under the Savannah Zone Agricultural Productivity Improvement Project (SAPIP) to support Government Flagship Programme:Planting for Food and Agriculture and is being funded by the African Development Bank.

    In handing over the contract documents to the contractor, the minister disclosed that with COVID-19, the importation of rice will be a challenge and therefore, government has developed strategies to increase rice production of which the country has great potential.

    He said the overall goal of the project which is among three other projects was to transform Agricultural Value Chain for food and nutrition security, job and wealth creation as well as increase farmers’ income through agricultural productivity and diversification.

    The minister encouraged farmers to take advantage of the project when completed.

    He urged community members to support the contractor, admonishing the contractor to as much as possible, use local labour drawn from the community to execute the project.

    “We are here to hand over the sites to the contractor to commence work immediately…We thank the stakeholders,the consultants, the District Assemblies for their role in the design of these facilities. As we are handing over the sites to the contractors,you still have a role to play in monitoring the execution of the contracts,” he said.

    The Municipal Chief Executive for West Gonja, Saeed Muhazu Jibreal, expressed gratitude to the minister for choosing the municipality to benefit from such a huge infrastructure project.

    He recalled that the field chosen for the project was an area reserved for rice production in the 1970’s, expressing confidence in the viability of the land to sustain the project.

    The elated MCE disclosed that the project was so dear to his heart,reason why he made constant followups to ensure the project came to light.

    He assured the minister that the field was going to be put to good use when completed to realise the overall goal of the project.

    Mr.Felix Dramani, Project Coordinator for SAPIP, said the delay in starting the project was because they had to do due diligence and get the right consultants among other processes.

    It was his hope that community members will take interest and put the facility into full use when completed, adding that, it was the determination of government to stop the importation of rice. According to him, the more we import rice,the more we create jobs for others and create unemployment for ourselves.

    He said it’s always disheartening for government to spend so much money to develop such fields and at the end, they are not used.

    He was however optimistic that the people of Kojope will take keen interest and utilise the huge infrastructure investment by government.

    The Department of Feeder Roads (DFR) and the Ghana Irrigation Development Authority (GIDA) are the consultants who designed and are to supervise the construction of these infrastructure.

    To this end,the acting director of GIDA,Mr.Andrew Akure Alabila,disclosed that like the previous projects that were handed over, the contractor is expected to construct protective bonds, access bonds, field bonds, culverts, irrigation facility, a drainage system of about 24 square meters as well as create farm and field roads of about 5 meters in width and 3 meters in width respectively around the allocated site.

    He said as part of the monitoring processes and to put the contractor on his toes, they were going to hold monthly technical meetings as well as quarterly stakeholders meetings, pressing on the contractor to deliver on time and ensure quality work is done.

    Mr. Alex Frimpong who represented the contractor from Ben Amanka Enterprise assured that the project was going to be completed within the stipulated eight months period and that quality work will be ensured.

    The minister earlier on handed over 8km Damongo-Kpiri feeder road for construction and a 200 hectors of land for Foundation Seed Production by the University for Development Studies.

    Source: Abraham Ananpansah, Contributor

  • Upper West Region Rice Parboilers Association appeals for equipment

    The Upper West Region Rice Parboilers Association has appealed to government, civil society organisations and international donor communities to come to its aid with the provision of de-stoner and dryer machines to improve on parboil rice production.

    Presently, the association has only one de-stoner machine, which is inadequate to meet the production levels of members and consumer demands.

    The weather condition is also affecting products, and therefore any support in the form of dryers, pavilion and tarpaulins would help improve the quality of parboil rice produce to access markets and better prices for members.
    Madam Benedicta Naab, Chairperson of the Association, made the appeal at a two-day rice parboiling techniques training workshop organised for 35 women representatives from five rice parboiler groups in Wa.

    The women were drawn from Wa Municipal, Wa East and Wa West Districts with facilitators coming from rice parboiling groups from Navrongo in the Upper East Region.

    The European Union and German Government funded the programme with GIZ and the Market Oriented Agriculture Programme (MOAP) in North West in collaboration with the Regional Agriculture Department, organised the workshop to add value along the rice value chain development.

    Madam Naab bemoaned the poor quality of parboiled rice products in the region and attributed it to the lack of modern machines and equipment and effective parboiling technique, which resulted in poor quality products.

    She explained that with the provision of skills and techniques acquired from the workshop, the cost of production would still remain high and difficult for parboilers to increase profit levels due to the influx of foreign rice products in the market, without equipment.

    The association urged government to consider providing free ferilizers to rice farmers to boost rice production and encourage local consumption, as it had become a staple food for many households in the communities.

    Madam Naab also appealed to the government to provide soft loans to members of the association to expand their businesses, and provide means of transport for the association to haul paddy rice from the hinterlands and warehouses.
    She indicated their willingness to go into large-scale rice production next year to complement the produce they buy from other farmers and pleaded with the government and other benevolent organisations to support them with tractors and other equipment to execute their plan.

    Madam Henrietta Abaah, the lead facilitator, gave the assurance that the new technology provided members of the association would help them to produce quality products for the markets and urged the MOAP to supply the association with vessels and other equipment to parboil paddy rice to reduce cost on firewood, time and other unexpected challenges.

    Source: GNA

  • Builsa South: 250 farmers forced to abandon 750-acre rice farms in Fumbisi

    About 300 hectares (750 acres) of rice farms belonging to 250 farmers in the Fumbisi rice valley in the Builsa South District of the Upper East Region have been abandoned for lack chemicals to fight the infection by weeds known as “wild rice”.

    The few farmers still in the valley are using traditional methods of farming to uproot the wild rice tillers which is time-consuming and capital intensive to hire labourers to undertake the exercise.

    Many of the farmers, who expressed their frustrations to the Ghanaian Times during a field visit to the rice farms on Tuesday, stated that the government promised to provide them with farm inputs in the farming season, which encouraged most of them to expand their farms.

    One of the farmers, Mr. Moses Agontu, who stated that the government had not done much to honour that pledge, added that the weedicides for spraying the weeds that had attacked the rice were very expensive and also difficult to come by.

    Mr. Emmanuel Afoko, another farmer who told the Ghanaian Times that the weeds had the potential of reducing yields, appealed to the government to, as a matter of urgency, support the farmers to deal with the infection to avoid food insecurity.

    The Builsa South District Director of Agriculture, Mr. Sylvan Dauda Danaa, reiterated the need for the government and researchers to intervene with a lasting antidote to deal with the wild rice infection in order for rice farmers to have the motivation to grow more rice.

    The Upper East Regional Director of Agriculture, Mr. Francis Ennor, said the wild rice infection is causing a lot of anxiety among rice farmers in the area and so assured farmers in general of better agricultural interventions which would help increase crop and animal production in the region.

    There are rice fields totalling 850 hectares (2125 acres) fully developed in nine valleys in the Builsa South District and each year, between 5.5 and 5.8 metric tons of rice is cultivated in the valleys by 894 rice farmers, including out-growers, and their effort is above the national rice cultivation.

    It would be recollected that last year there was huge rice glut in the rice valleys due to lack of ready market.

    Other challenges confronting rice farmers at the valleys are lack of motorable roads to the rice fields and inadequate inputs such as fertilizers and seeds.

    Source: Ghanaian Times

  • V/R: 600 rice farms destroyed by drought in Ketu South

    Some 600 farmers at Klenomadzi and Devego, near Dzodze in the Ketu North Municipality of the Volta Region, have lost their vast rice farms to drought.

    In all, 700 acres of rice farms have dried up due to the severe weather conditions in the area.

    The National Disaster Management Organization (NADMO) has estimated the damage at GHS 300, 000.
    The area has recorded no rainfall in the past four months.

    Subsequently, River Kpli on which the rice farmers depends for growing their crop has dried up.

    The situation has now deprived the farmers of their livelihood, which is rice cultivation.

    Meanwhile, TorgbiGbordzor V11, chief of Klenomadzi has told a team of NADMO officials who toured the affected farms last week Wednesday that the farmers who took loans to produce rice were in a serious state of calamity as their creditors were now knocking at their doors demanding repayment.

    He said the future looks very miserable for the farmers and appealed to the government to come to the aid of the farmers immediately with a rescue package to enable them to repay their loans.

    The Municipal NADMO Director, Mr. Wornoo, gave the assurance that the team would immediately liaise with regional and national NADMO head offices in Ho and Accra respectively to identify the appropriate relief measures for the affected farmers.

    He entreated the rice farmers to henceforth insure their farms against the ravages of crop failure and also form an association to enable them to secure easier and more flexible loans in future.

    Water supply from the irrigation plant to Afife does not extend to the farms in Klenomadzi and Devego, a predicament which leaves the farmers to rely exclusively on River Kpli for water to their farms.

    Cassava and maize are also cultivated in the area but not on large scales.

    Source:The Ghanaian Times

  • Farmers introduced to modern rice production

    Members of Asene Ghana Rice Farmers Group have lauded the Agriculture Department in Asene Manso Akroso District for introducing them to modern rice production.

    Mr Asante Badu, the Chairman of the Group, told the Ghana News Agency at a demonstration farm at Asene in the Eastern Region that the group was taken through the various stages of modern rice production and the use of net instead of the tradition use of catapult and noise making to prevent birds from pecking the grains at the fruiting stage.

    He said the use of the net had taken away the most difficult aspect in rice production and said that could reduce the cost of rice production and help increase their yields.

    Ms Victoria Beyuo, the Agriculture Extension Agent in Asene urged the farmers to plant AGRA rice seeds, an improved high yielding rice variety.

    Source: GNA

  • Ghana will have 29,000 metric tonnes of surplus rice to spare in 2023 Afriyie Akoto

    Minister for Food and Agriculture Dr Owusu Afriyie Akoto has projected that the country would have reached self-sufficiency with about 29,000 metric tonnes as surplus to spare by 2023.

    He said rice production had jumped from 138,000 metric tonnes in 2016 to 665,000 in 2019.

    He He attributed this achievement to the introduction of the Planting for Food and Jobs (PFJ) initiative introduced by the Akufo-Addo administration.

    The PFJ programme is a Government of Ghana (GoG) designed and implemented programme aiming to promote growth in food production and create jobs across the country.

    The programme is structured around 5 Pillars. These include: ¬ Seed; ¬ Fertilizer; ¬ Extension Services; ¬ Marketing; and ¬ e-Fertilizer & Monitoring

    Dr Akoto Afryie said : “With all these, within two years, the country would be self-sufficient in rice production so there will be no need for us to spend the millions of dollars a year to import rice,” he said.

    The minister disclosed this during an interaction with farmer groups and value chain operators in the agricultural sector in the Bono, Bono East and the Ashanti regions, last week.

    He was accompanied by one of his deputies, Mr George Oduro, and sectional directors of the ministry.

    Source: laudbusiness.com

  • Ghana will be self-sufficient in rice production by 2023 Agric Minister

    Minister for Food and Agriculture Dr Owusu Afriyie Akoto has said rice production had jumped from 138,000 metric tonnes in 2016 to 665,000 in 2019.

    He projected that by 2023, the country would have reached self-sufficiency with about 29,000 metric tonnes as surplus to spare.

    He attributed this achievement to the introduction of the Planting for Food and Jobs (PFJ) initiative introduced by the Akufo-Addo administration.

    The PFJ programme is a Government of Ghana (GoG) designed and implemented programme aiming to promote growth in food production and create jobs across the country.

    The programme is structured around 5 Pillars. These include: ¬ Seed; ¬ Fertilizer; ¬ Extension Services; ¬ Marketing; and ¬ e-Fertilizer & Monitoring

    Dr Akoto Afryie said : “With all these, within two years, the country would be self-sufficient in rice production so there will be no need for us to spend the millions of dollars a year to import rice,” he said.

    The minister disclosed this during an interaction with farmer groups and value chain operators in the agricultural sector in the Bono, Bono East and the Ashanti regions, last week.

    He was accompanied by one of his deputies, Mr George Oduro, and sectional directors of the ministry,

    Source: laudbusiness.com

  • Hypocritical NPP campaigning for Made in Ghana rice but distribute foreign rice at Jubilee house A.B.A Fuseini

    Member of Parliament for Sagnarigu Constituency in the Northern Region, A.B.A Fuseini has said the Akufo-Addo led government is not committed to development of Ghanaians as little has been done to promote made in Ghana goods in the country.

    He alleged that government still uses foreign branded rice when holding parties even in the Jubilee house; an indication that the Mahama-led administration did better at projecting the local industry.

    “This government does not have an iota of commitment to ensure that this Made in Ghana thing they are talking about works. They are not committed”

    Speaking on TV3 News Day show A.B.A Fusieni added, “Go and see when they throw parties, when they are organizing reception, foreign goods more than 95 percent. Even the president who gave the directive, when they do (parties) at his door step flagstaff house go and see the stuff”

    “Rice import reduced under Mahama from over 6 million dollars to 480 million dollars under the NPP rice imports have ballooned to 1.3 billion dollars its matter of records. So how can you be encouraging the consumption of local rice when imports are souring than before? So where is the vision of the government? he quizzed.

    He added Ghana Beyond Aid project has failed as this government has borrowed more than any to other that has governed this country.

    He said “talking about Ghana beyond Aid, this is the government that has borrowed more recklessly than any government. So, if you are talking about beyond aid and you are borrowing worse than any government what are you doing to yourself.”

    However, Deputy Information Minister, Pius Ahiadze refuted the above claims stating that his comment with regards to Jubilee House cooking foreign rice is false as the MP did not back it with evidence

    “…. This accusation is a rant, the MP should speak beyond propaganda because it was an unnecessary introduction”

    “Our local capacity under the NDC reduced and documented unless you tell me Ghanaians stopped eating rice. What we are doing today to actually help grow the industry is that the government is making the importers of rice to deal with some of the local rice production at least a certain percentage even if you are to provide or use local rice to a certain percent the Agric Minster does not even give you the license to import rice,” he said

     

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Ghanas debt-servicing-to-revenue-ratio is 60% Alex Mould challenges IMF

    Nyame na aye and Adom wo wiem rice farmer associations in the Sefwi- Waiwso Municipality and Bodi Districts of the Western North Region have lauded the government for taking up the “eat Ghana rice” campaign.

    According to the groups, Ghana would have been exporting rice to other countries if the campaign was given the needed support and commitment.

    Speaking to the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in an interview, Mr Oduro Sarfo, president of Adom wo wiem Cooperate Rice Farmers Association, said the campaign had helped increase the number of bags they sold annually, which had subsequently boasted the local economy.

    He disclosed that customers from other parts of the country now buy from them which hitherto was not the case.

    He commended the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MOFA) at both Sefwi- Waiwso and Bodi Districts for supplying them with free seedlings and subsidized fertilizer.

    For his part, Mr Kwame Ahi, President of Nyame na aye Rice Farmers Association, mentioned lack of power tiller machines and the lack of storage facilities among others as some of the challenges facing rice farmers and appealed to the government for assistance.

    He also called on other corporate institutions to help them brand and package the rice in order to export them to earn foreign exchange for the country and also help reduce employment rates in the country.

    Mr Ahi also advised the youth to take advantage of the government flagship programme of planting for food and jobs, so as to create their own jobs and not depend on the government for the non-existent jobs.

    Source: GNA

  • Rawlings endorses Ghana rice

    Former President Jerry John Rawlings has endorsed the Ghana rice brand as stakeholders in the sector called on him to support the campaign to consume rice produced in Ghana.

    A delegation of key players within the Ghana Rice Interprofessional Body (GRIB) visited Mr. Rawlings at his office on Friday, December 20, 2019, in Accra.

    Read: Ghana rice to have special identification stickers Rice millers

    The visit aimed at seeking his support for the promotion and marketing of Ghana rice.

    The delegation briefed Mr. Rawlings about the prospects, challenges of Ghana rice millers, farmers and marketers.

    Rice brands from Keta in the Volta Region were presented to Mr. Rawlings.

    Nana Adjei Ayeh II, President of the Ghana Rice Interprofessional Body told Mr. Rawlings “we know you are a very good advocate of made in Ghana products.”

    He informed the former military ruler that there were over 20 rice brands in Ghana now.

    Read: List of made in Ghana rice and numbers to call

    In response, Mr. Rawlings lauded the works of the Ghana Rice Interprofessional Body and the rice consortium in promoting the consumption of Ghana rice.

    He, however, encouraged them to take advantage of the Year of Return initiative to introduce their rice brands to the international community.

    He also urged them not to be carried away by the quality of foreign rice brands but rather remain resolute in their campaign.

     

    Source: dailyguidenetwork.com

  • Ghana rice to have special identification stickers Rice millers

    Moves are being initiated by rice millers in the country to get special identification stickers to differentiate Ghana rice from those imported.

    The Convener of the Rice Millers Association, Yaw Adu Poku, who made this known to Citi News said the move is also to check unwholesome or fake Ghana rice that may be on the market.

    Read: First lady officially joins eat Ghana rice campaign

    Yaw Adu Poku, in a Citi News interview, said the Association is collaborating with the Food and Beverages Association of Ghana (FABAG) and the Ghana Standards Authority (GSA) to possibly roll out this initiative as the campaign for the consumption of local rice intensifies.

    “We have agreed in principle through our umbrella organization, Ghana Rice Inter-professional Bodies together with Food & Beverage Association of Ghana (FABAG) to officially write to the GSA that a stamp or some identification should be given to rice in the system and even those that have been imported into the country so that when you go to the market you can see the stamp. This will immediately differentiate between the rice produced internally and those that come in through the main ports,” he said.

    The CEO of Citi FM and Citi TV, Samuel Attah-Mensah, after visiting some rice farms in Northern Ghana about a month ago found out that locally produced rice was stuck at farm gates due to the lack of buyers.

    He subsequently appointed himself Ambassador for the promotion of Ghana Rice and began a campaign to drive the consumption of Ghana rice.

    This campaign has caught on with many Ghanaians and received widespread endorsements.

    Government and financial institutions have stepped in and made commitments to assist those in the local rice production value chain.

    Read: Buffer Stock Company promises to supply SHSs with 100% local rice

    The government has also announced a plan to ban rice importation by 2022.

    For this reason, the Food and Agriculture Ministry met with 20 major rice importers and urged them to consider sourcing locally produced rice.

    Recently, President Akufo-Addo during an encounter with the media at the Jubilee house called on Ghanaians to consume local rice.

    He also announced that all government institutions have been directed to start using local rice for all public programmes and initiatives from January 2020.

     

    Source: citinewsroom.com

  • First lady officially joins eat Ghana rice campaign

    First Lady Rebecca Akufo-Addo has officially joined the eat Ghana rice campaign.

    She made a firmed pledge to support Ghana rice millers, marketers, farmers the best way she can.

    Mrs. Akufo-AddoAddo made the pledge when she hosted executives of Ghana rice millers, marketers, John Agyekum Kufuor Foundation, the Ghana Rice Interprofessional Body, on Wednesday, December 11, 2019, at her office in Accra.

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    The visit by various stakeholders in the rice subsector was to seek her support for the promotion and marketing of Ghana rice.

    After being briefed about the prospects, challenges of Ghana rice millers, farmers and marketers, the First Lady expressed her profound interest in supporting the growth and development of the Ghanaian rice industry.

    “You have my full support,” she told the delegation comprising of Nana Adjei Ayeh II, President of the Ghana Rice Interprofessional Body; Nana Ama Oppong Duah, Policy Advisor of the Kufuor Foundation; Ebo Graham, among others.

    On the agenda for discussion was the need for Government and the financial sector in Ghana to invest in Ghana rice cultivation, milling and marketing.

    The First Lady who was presented with a few bags of Ghana rice brands such as Copa, Champion, Bongo Grains, among others, was briefed about the huge financial potential of the rice industry in Ghana.

    I eat local rice with my wife Akufo-Addo

    She said it was very exciting that Ghana was growing its own rice.

    It was her belief that the growth of the rice industry in Ghana would lead to creation of jobs and saving of foreign exchange for the country.

    She spoke about how a lot of Ghanaian youth are in search of job and that the rice sector could be one area where they can gain employment.

    Meanwhile, another meeting has been scheduled between the Office of the First Lady and the stakeholders to find ways in which they can come out with a communication strategy for the promotion of Ghana rice.

     

    Source: Dailyguidenetwork.com

  • PFAG calls on government to adopt proactive measures for the rice sector

    The Peasant Farmers Association of Ghana (PFAG), has recommended a complete ban on the importation of rice into the country to secure the local rice industry.

    According them there was enough local capacity to meet the rice demand of the country and asked all government institutions to patronise local rice.

    While praising the government for the move to secure the local rice industry, they recommended low interest on loans for agricultural businesses to curtail the challenges confronting the sector.

    Watch out for my made-in-Ghana rice soon Samini

    Other recommendations included increased budget allocation and subsidies for combine harvesters, rice millers and rice packaging materials, new technology to address aflatoxins and other post-harvest challenge, storage facilities and increase budget on mitigating problems in the rice value chain.

    Mr Abdul Rahman Mohammed, the Board Chairman of the PFAG during the 2019 Annual General Meeting of the Association said the directive by the government to the National Buffer Stock Company to mop up the excess rice had come in handy.

    We hope the directive will be enforced immediately without any further delay to bring hope to our farmers”, he added.

    Professor Awetori Yaro from the University of Ghana, who presented the findings said the research was commissioned to analyze access to certified seeds, fertilizer, extension services marketing and post-harvest handling.

    BNI to chase those re-bagging foreign rice as local rice

    The research established that much progress had been made with the PFJ and that the project could stimulate the commercialization of small scale agriculture in Ghana.

    The study however, recommended increased surveillance, adequate extension services and early delivery of seeds and fertilizers.

    Other recommendations included a deliberate government policy on low interest rate for agricultural businesses.

    Mr. Kobena Okyere Darko-Mensah, the Western Regional Minster urged farmers to work effectively towards improving nutrition especially for women and children.

    Source: ghananewsagency.org

  • NVRRC approves five rice genotype for cultivation in the north

    The National Variety Release and Registration Committee (NVRRC) of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA) has approved the release of five rice genotypes (varieties) onto the market for cultivation and consumption.

    The approved genotypes which included 929, C93, Gbewaa Red, Waiqi, and Pac 801( a hybrid seed), are not only drought and disease tolerant, but also high in yielding, early maturing, have high nutrition, and tolerant to climate change.

    Read: Govt plans to ban rice, poultry imports in 3 years Minister

    Members of the NRRC made the approval at the weekend after inspecting the field trials of six proposed new rice genotypes carried out by the Savanna Agricultural Research Institute of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR-SARI) at Golinga, a community in the Northern Region.

    The approved rice genotype is expected to be submitted to the MoFA for endorsement before they are officially released onto the market and subsequently placed at the national seed bank.

    Mr Seth Osei-Akoto, the Acting Director of Crop Services at the MoFA, addressing the Committee after the field trip commended the institute for their efforts in developing the genotype to help improve on the seeds sector as well as increase food security in the country.

    He said the rice had become a staple leading to an increase in its demand and indicated that this had created a gap in its production due to an increase in the importation of rice.

    He said the Ministry had therefore set an agenda including the Planting for Food and Jobs programme to help improve on rice production in the country in order to make the country self-sufficient in its production by the years 2024 and 2025.

    Mr Osei-Akoto said farmers were also encouraged to adopt the production of the improved rice seeds to help increase their yields and income.
    He said even though there were some improved rice varieties released on the market some years ago, it was worrying that only two of the varieties namely “Gbewaa rice” and “Agra rice” had been promoted.

    He urged the seed breeders to come out with very competitive improved varieties that could be promoted enough to make farmers adopt them for cultivation and consumption.

    Dr Samuel Oppong Abebrese, a Seed Breeder, at the CSIR-SARI, who was also the research team leader said the institute had been examining these genotypes for about eight years and observed that “these proposed genotypes contained special features such as nutrition, high yielding between 4.7 to 8.9 tonnes per hector, early maturing within 83 to 130 days as well as tolerant to drought and diseases such as blast, bacterial leaf blight among others”.

    He said the institute identified the six genotypes through a breeding programme set up in 2010 to provide for farmers, varieties that could cope with climate change situation such as flood and drought, as well as produce high yielding and early maturity crops.

    He mentioned the six improved rice genotypes to include 929, C93 ,Gbewaa Red, Waiqi, and Pac 801( a hybrid seed) and Swarna 2 ( a hybrid seed).

    Dr Abebrese said the trials of these genotypes were carried out in comparison with a check rice variety known as AGRA Rice and cultivated in areas such as Nyankpala and Golinga in the Guinea Savannah zone, Libi in the Transitional Savannah as well as Navrongo and Manga in the Sudan Savannah.

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    Dr Abebrese, however, said the only rice genotype which had not been approved by the Committee though it contained special features compared to the other genotype was Swarna 2.

    He said the committee explained that the Swarna 2, rice genotype had already been registered and approved in Niger and contained other issues they deemed not fit to be cultivated and consumed in the country.

    He gave the assurance that the institute would put in place seed production and dissemination plans to ensure farmers adopt these new rice genotypes.
    Dr Stephen Nutsugah, Director for CSIR-SARI said the rice genotypes would help boost the seeds sector, reduce importation of rice as well as meet some demands of the niche market in the country.

    He acknowledged the support from its partners such as Banse Tropical Food Limited, USAID, Jiangxi Academy of Agricultural Sciences, and AfricaRice among others.

     

    Source: Ghananewsagency.org