Ghana to Become Self-Sufficient in Rice Production by 2017

The Ghanaian government has huge plans to become completely self-sufficient in rice production by 2017. Mr. Kofi Humado, Minister for Food and Agriculture announced that the government has allocated rice production targets for all regions in the country to meet this goal.

According to the Government of Ghana, the country “had already become self-sufficient in yam, cassava and maize production and a breakthrough in rice production would make the country a leading food producer for both domestic consumption and export to neighboring countries,” said Humado.

Humado made this statement during the biennial Lekoryi festival celebration at Likpe- Mate in the Volta Region where he addressed the chiefs and people of the Likpe traditional area. The festival’s theme was “Self- Help in Infrastructure Development” which is a celebration that take place every two years “…to harness financial and economic resources to support the development projects in the area.”

In meeting the expected goal by 2017, the Ghanaian government has negotiated with the Japanese government, “who are ready to provide a grant for increased rice production, while government would also provide tractors and other related inputs to achieve…” the target goal.

Humado also stated the government would build support for farmers to increase production of brown rice to reach a wider consumer market domestically and internationally.

“The scaling up of rice production by 2017 was in response to President Mahama’s call for the reduction in rice, sugar and oil importation in the coming years since the country had the comparative advantage in the production of the crop,” said Humado.