The Embassy of Japan has handed over agricultural machinery under Japan’s Grant Assistance for underprivileged farmers in the country.

A statement issued by the embassy and copied to the Ghana News Agency on Wednesday, said the total Grant which is ?330,000,000 is approximately 9.7 million Ghana Cedis (about $2.5 million).

“The machinery comprises 77 agricultural tractors with matching implements, 49 power tillers, 20 rice threshers, 11 rice reapers and six rice mills, which would be distributed to farmers on hire purchase,” it said.

The statement said the Deputy Chief of Missions at the Japanese Embassy reiterated Japan's commitment to help overcome its over-dependence on rice importation.

The grant assistance, which started in 1981, is to contribute to the Ghanaian government efforts to mechanise agriculture and ensure food security, particularly rice production.