By Love Wilhelmina Abanonave
Minister for Food and Agriculture, Eric Opoku, has announced that the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has pledged GH₵35 million towards the establishment of a local rice seed production plant in Northern Ghana.
The plant will be equipped with modern machinery to improve timely seed production and is expected to strengthen national food security.
Speaking on the initiative on Tuesday, the minister said the project is designed to make a significant contribution to Ghana’s rice subsector. It will improve access to high-quality seeds, enhance the skills of irrigation scheme officers and train farmers in the use of new machinery.
The facility is expected to address one of the persistent challenges in local rice production: the limited availability of certified seeds at the right time for planting.
According to Mr Opoku, the establishment of the plant aligns with President John Dramani Mahama’s vision for food security under the “Feed Ghana Programme”. He said the programme is projected to ensure adequate food supply throughout the year.
The Feed Ghana Programme seeks to increase domestic production of staple crops, reduce reliance on imports and strengthen linkages between farmers, processors and markets.
“As Minister, I pledge the government’s commitment to the judicious utilisation of this financial commitment,” he said, adding that the goal is to fully realise the objectives of the Agriculture for Economic Transformation Agenda.
The agenda focuses on achieving food security and strengthening Ghana’s agricultural sector through strategic investment and capacity development. The rice seed plant will form a key part of this effort in the northern corridor, where rice cultivation is a major livelihood.
Training for farmers and irrigation officers will run alongside the establishment of the facility to ensure proper operation and maintenance of the new machinery.
Rice remains one of Ghana’s most widely consumed staples, with the country importing a significant portion of its annual requirement. Government has prioritised expanding local production to reduce imports and improve farmer incomes.
