Government determined to improve rice production

Mr Frank Apeagyei, Adviser to the Minister of Food and Agriculture has said the government is determined to cut rice imports by 30 per cent by the end of this year.

To achieve this, the ministry has outlined a programme which includes the co-ordination of mechanisation at the farm level and channelling of support directly to farmers at processing points.

Mr Apeagyei told the Ghana News Agency in an interview that there is a shift of incentive to a pool where the private sector would operate as the processing point and where farmers would be immediately paid for their produce.

He said government would then guarantee a minimum price for the private sector to ensure that all stock produced by the farmer is purchased at the processing stage.

"One of the weaknesses of the agriculture sector has been the lack of prompt payment to farmers for their produce which the new paradigm will address and also ensure that economies of scale are adopted for quality produce."

Mr Appiagyei said government would guarantee a stable price for the private sector, which may buy from the farmers since unstable prices serve as disincentive.

He said the ministry is going to encourage the establishment of small-scale mills that would separate the grains and grade them.

"These machines can be acquired very quickly to effectively cut down the importation." He said although various rice brands are produced in the country such as perfumed rice from Kpong and Afife, there has not been an effective strategy to market it.

He mentioned particularly brown rice that is good for diabetic patients due to its low starch content but which has not been effectively marketed.

"Under the new approach, an all-inclusive marketing strategy will be adopted to encourage local consumers to patronise local rice which sometimes contains more natural nutrients than the foreign ones."

Mr Appiagyei recalled that between 1972 and 76 Ghana was self sufficient in rice production saying that with proper focus, a similar feat would be achieved in the next few years.