By Murtala Issah
Rice farmers in the country are urging government to ban the import of rice into the country to support the production and consumption of local rice.
The Overlord of Dagbon and some rice farmers in Northern Ghana made the appeal in various speeches at the maiden National Rice Fair in Walewale in the West Mamprusi District of the North East Region.
The Yaa Naa, Abukari Mahama in a speech read on his behalf, noted that Northern Ghana alone has the potential to produce enough rice to meet local demand and export, but imports of the commodity have stifled local production.
The Yaa Naa’s sentiments were echoed by farmers in the area, who appealed to government to address their concerns.
Ghana consumed 1.4 million metric tonnes of rice in 2022. Out of this figure, more than fifty percent of the commodity was imported, costing the nation millions of dollars and contributing to the weakening of the local currency.
Despite the reliance on foreign rice, stakeholders believe Ghana has the capacity to be self sufficient and even produce for export. The two-day rice fair, which was under the theme: “Building Sustainable Partnerships to Enhance Local Rice Production and Consumption,” therefore sought to promote the production and consumption of local rice, reduce imports of the commodity, create jobs and save the country some foreign change.
The fair brought together players in the rice value chain, including farmers, agro input dealers, processors, banks, and media partners, including Ghana Television.
The event, organised by Tamanaa Company Limited, IDH in collaboration with the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, provided a platform to share ideas and showcase the country’s potential in rice production.
The Country Director of IDH, Robert Asugre, underscored the advantages Ghana stands to gain in the rice sector.
German Development partners, GIZ was one of the key partners of the event.
The Programme Lead for GIZ Move, Rita Weidinger, called for more support for rice farmers across the country.
Some speakers at the event, including a representative of Yaa Naa Abukari Mahama, appealed to government to ban the import of rice to boost local production.
The Deputy Minister for Agriculture, Mohammed Hardi Tuferu, said government cannot ban rice imports now due to a production deficit. He however assured that, government and its partners are working together to make the nation self sufficient in rice production.