Experts urge smart investments to boost local rice production

Experts have called on local rice farmers to adopt smart investment practices to boost rice production, to enhance food security and job creation in the country.

The production of local rice, with the support of input devices and other resources, would help farmers meet the growing demand of the population, a practice which could reduce Ghana’s heavy reliance on imported rice.

The call was made at the maiden edition of the Business to Business forum held in Tamale, which brought together key players in Ghana’s rice industry, including farmers, millers, traders, and policymakers to address pressing challenges and explore opportunities for growth in the rice value chain.

The forum, organized by the Competitive African Rice Platform of Ghana (CARP Ghana) under the theme “Strengthening Ghana’s Rice Value Chain: Partnership for Growth and Market Competitiveness,” brought together stakeholders from the rice value chain sector to deliberate on production deficits and strategies to boost rice production for national food sufficiency.

Speaking at the forum, Managing Director of RST Company Limited, Mr. Yaw Samsung Tetteh, urged farmers to reject selfishness and instead support one another by lending tools when needed.

According to him, this cooperative approach could significantly increase agricultural yields and reinforce community-based farming traditions.

In his presentation, Mr. Tetteh also advised rice farmers to invest in simpler machinery tailored to their needs, rather than expensive, high-capacity equipment that may go underutilized.

“Opting for costly machines often drains resources, limiting farmers’ ability to acquire other vital tools essential for their operations,” Mr. Tetteh added.

Agribusiness Consultant Mr. Alhassan Zakaria also encouraged the farmers to explore equity financing, describing it as the most affordable and sustainable option for funding agricultural ventures.

He urged farmers to pool their limited resources to form equity-based businesses, noting that this model remains largely underexplored within the rice value chain.

“When farmers collaborate to build equity financing structures, they could be worth millions in a few years,” he stated. “You do not need to hold 100 percent ownership in a business to succeed,” he added.

The forum featured discussions on improving access to quality seeds, modern farming techniques, and financing for smallholder farmers, who form the backbone of the sector.

Speaking on the challenges confronting rice farmers, the Volta and Oti Regional Focal Person for the Peasant Farmers Association of Ghana, Duncan Amoah, identified corruption and the misappropriation of funds intended for agricultural support as primary issues plaguing the sector.

In addressing these challenges, he urged the government to reintegrate the Agricultural Department into the Ministry of Agriculture, arguing that political interference from Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies (MMDAs) is severely undermining farmers’ livelihoods.

The event underscored the urgency of achieving rice self-sufficiency in West Africa, a region that still imports over 40% of its rice despite having the potential to meet its own demand.

The National Coordinator of CARP Ghana, Mohammed Habib Abdullai, emphasized the forum’s role in fostering collaboration among stakeholders in the rice production value chain.

“Our key objective is to provide a platform for rice farmers to dialogue toward reducing Ghana’s over reliance on imported rice,” he sated

According to him, Ghana spends millions annually on rice imports, a burden that could be alleviated by strengthening local production and processing capacities.

With the backing of the ECOWAS Rice Observatory, CARP Ghana is pushing for policies that incentivize sustainable farming practices and support the milling industry to produce high-quality rice that can rival imported brands.

“We are not just looking at production,” the National Coordinator of CARP Ghana added. “We want to ensure the entire value chain, starting from farmers all the way to processors, works efficiently and profitably.”

The forum comes at a critical time, as global rice prices fluctuate and regional demand continues to rise. Aligning with the broader goals of the ECOWAS Rice Observatory, headquartered in Abuja, CARP Ghana aims to contribute to rural job creation, poverty reduction, and gender equity.

As the event concluded, stakeholders expressed optimism about the future of Ghana’s rice sector, with commitments to follow through on the partnerships and strategies outlined.

The forum is expected to become a regular event, providing a vital platform for dialogue and innovation in the push toward a self-sufficient and thriving rice industry in West Africa.