Ghana, inundated with a vast agricultural heritage, is on a zesty quest to transform its rice sector. The country has over the years heavily depended on foreign imports to meet local demand of grains.

But the country is now adopting strategies to boost local production, improve food security, and ensure the availability of sustainable economic opportunities for farmers.

Cooked for various local delicacies, rice is one of the most consumed staple foods in Western African country, with consumption exceeding 1.5 million metric tons per annum in 2022 alone. The figure represents a per capita consumption of 47 kilogramme.

Although demand for the commodity is high, local production is woefully inadequate. The country produces approximately 35% of its rice needs with the remaining sourced from foreign countries. In 2022, Ghana spent an estimated US$ 283 million on rice importation. The country with a 34 million human population imports primarily from Vietnam, Thailand, India, Pakistan, China and the United States.

Local production capacity

Rice is widely grown across the various agroecological zones of the country using different varieties that are adaptable to the varied zones. Rice is grown once or twice annually under rainfed and up to three cropping cycles per year under irrigation.

Northern, Volta, Upper East, Oti, and Ashanti Regions are the five largest producers with the Northern region leading paddy production. The region accounts for 28% of total production: together with Volta, and Upper East Regions, they contribute more than half (72%) of the overall national output.

Over 500 thousand people are employed along the rice value chain, which comprises input dealers, smallholder farmers, logisticians, processors, and distributors. High population growth and increasing incomes account for the rise in the per capita consumption of rice.

Planting For Food and Jobs

The country has a target to reach self-sufficiency in rice production with the deadline set for this year 2024. This is according to the revised policy document for the National Rice Development Strategy. But this seems not to be attainable as the country is presently doing around 30% of the self-sufficiency targets. This mainly stems from the challenges facing the sector - from logistical challenges to farming practices that contribute to dwindling productivity.

In response to these challenges, the Ghanaian government is rolling out various initiatives aimed at revitalizing the rice sector under its Planting for Food and Jobs program. The initiative launched in 2017, emphasizes increasing local rice production through the provision of improved seeds, fertilizers, farming implements and training support for farmers. According to Ghana’s Food and Agriculture Ministry, the first phase of the program increased the nation’s domestic rice production by 80% - from 570,000 to ober a million metric tonnes in 2021 alone. The program is currently under its second phase and is expected to increase more yields for the sector.

Minister of Food and Agriculture, Bryan Acheampong recently noted, “Our goal is to make Ghana a net exporter of rice. With the right investments and support, we can achieve this vision.”

The Role of Technology

Ghana’s Agriculture landscape was recently hit by a dry spell that devastated farms of 435,000 farmers across eight regions of the country with close to a million more at risk of losing their farms. Owing to the impacts of the climate crisis, the government announced a ban on the exports of local grains including rice and maize. This environmental phenomenon which threatened food shortages in the country exposed the country weakened food systems against the ever-changing climate.

Technology is playing a crucial role in modernizing Ghana's rice production. With its digitalization drive, the government is exploring technological advancement to be incorporated in the agriculture sector as

local startups are innovating by introducing smart farming techniques. For instance, the introduction of high-yielding rice varieties has shown promising results. Farmers are being introduced to climate-smart agriculture and rice varieties that can withstand droughts and other weather conditions for more yields.

Agricultural extension services are also stepping up to educate farmers on best practices, ensuring that the new techniques are effectively implemented.

Challenges Ahead

The local rice sector is fraught with challenges including poor agronomic practices by farmers in rainfed and irrigated ecosystems, the lack of suitable technology and capacity to develop inland valley ecosystems for smallholder rice producers. Others include inadequate suitable rice cultivars to fit various ecological niches and poor-quality planting materials.

Despite these positive developments, significant hurdles remain. Farmers still face issues such as inadequate access to credit, poor infrastructure, and high post-harvest losses.

Reports suggest nearly 30% of harvested rice is lost due to inadequate storage facilities and lack of processing machinery. This inefficiency not only negatively impacts farmers' incomes but also worsens the country's food security concerns.

Forging Ahead

Agricultural experts advocate for a multi-faceted approach to tackling these challenges including investment in research and development for developing more resilient rice varieties and improving pest management.

Public-private partnerships are critical for a more collaborative environment for growth as Ghana’s rice sector is ripe with immense potential for sustainable growth.

Additionally, the rice market in Ghana is characterized by a lack of organization and support for smallholder farmers, who often struggle to access markets. Strengthening cooperatives and establishing better supply chains are essential steps to empower these farmers and ensure competitive pricing for the produce.

Through the implementation of the right policies, adequate investment, and support for farmers, the nation would not only meet its rice needs but also establish itself as an essential player in the West African regional market.

By harnessing innovation, and addressing infrastructural gaps, the country has the opportunity to cultivate a thriving rice industry that could significantly bolster its economy and ensure food security.

As Ghana navigates the complexities of its rice sector, the commitment to enhancing local production and reducing dependence on foreign imports is imperative.