MOFA establishes Rice Development Committee

Akuse (E/R) Nov 8, GNA - Major Courage Quashigah (rtd), Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MOFA), on Friday announced that the Ministry has established a National Rice Development Committee (NRDC) to find solutions to problems affecting the rice industry in the country. He said the body would comprise representatives from MOFA, research institutions, non-governmental organisations, financial institutions, rice farmers' groups, rice agents and input and agro-suppliers.

Major Quashigah announced these at the graduation of a rice-training course for 40 agricultural extension agents organised by MOFA, at Bob Nam Kim Agricultural School and Farm at Akuse.

The participants who were drawn from 19 districts in eight regions in the country, under went a five-week training on rice production capacity, evaluation of rice quality, utilisation of the cereal and its by-products.

The agents also studied farm management, nutrients and disease problems of rice and strategies towards solving problems in rice production.

Major Quashigah said the NRDC would monitor and evaluate the implementation of proposed measures that were aimed at improving the rice industry.

He said the NRDC would evolve a ratified national inter-professional apex body to draw policy guidance and regulate the rice industry. Major Quashigah said the committee had also been charged to develop appropriate terms of reference to direct its objectives, plans and operations.

The Minister said MOFA was implementing the Agricultural Services Sub-sector Investment Programme (AGSSIP) to enhance human resource capacity and activities of agriculture institutions to improve the agriculture extension system.

This, he said was aimed at supporting government's poverty reduction strategy, through enhanced socio-economic development programmes.

Major Quashigah commended AGSSIP for assisting in organising the training course and thanked Madam Young Ok Kim, Executive Chairperson of Afko Group of Companies and Executive Director of the school and farm for providing logistical and infrastructure support.

The Minister expressed satisfaction that the school through its scholarship scheme had trained some 760 participants from MOFA, the Police Service Prison Service and people form some West African countries up to 1998.

Madam Kim asked the participants to share the knowledge they had acquired with their colleagues who could not get the opportunity towards increased rice production.

Certificates were presented to all participants and prizes were given to deserving agents.