The Chiefs and people of Lolobi in the Oti Region have reiterated their call on government to invest in rice production in the area to transform it to a bigger industry.
They said several appeals for government’s support to solve challenges such as poor roads, provision of modern farming implements and unavailable markets which are affecting rice production in the area have yielded no results.
At their annual Ipor-Rice Festival, the Paramount Chief of Lolobi, Nana Masakyi said the current situation has rendered the predominant farming community poor despite their immense contribution to the country’s agricultural sector.
He said though they were anxious to witness massive transformation in their rice production with the introduction of the “One District, One factory policy”, their hopes are turning into despair as government and investors have so far shown no interest.
He said with the necessary support, the area can produce huge tons of rice and in effect reduce Ghana’s rice import.
He further said despite the area being noted for cocoa and rice production, the eight kilometer road that connects the area to Hohoe in the Volta Region has still not been constructed.
Nana Masakyi bemoaned that each year farmers in the area experience post-harvest losses due to their reliance on manpower and subsistence way of farming.
Ipor-Rice Festival is celebrated annually by the chiefs and people of Lolobi in the Oti Region to honour the bravery of their ancestors as well as to celebrate the importance of rice their staple food.
