The Minister of Food and Agriculture, Eric Opoku, has announced government’s plans to become self-sufficient in rice by 2028, “with national rice production expected to reach 3.31 million metric tonnes.”
The Minister made this known while briefing the media on Wednesday, 7th October 2026, on the US$18.8 million Regional West Africa Resilient Rice Value Chains Development (REWARD) Project.
Through the initiative, the government will connect “rice import quotas to investment in local production, encouraging stronger partnerships between importers and Ghanaian rice producers,” MoFA shared on its official Facebook page.
This development comes amid a rice glut across the country.
Many farmers and millers in the Volta, Greater Accra and Northern Regions have reported unsold stocks of rice from the 2024/2025 farming season, leaving them in distress.
There have been several calls from farmer groups, including the Peasant Farmers Association, to place a temporary ban on rice importation to help the farmers clear their stocks.
The REWARD is funded by the African Development Bank (AfDB) as a grant, and is expected to boost Ghana’s rice value chain through the development of 3,200 hectares of land.
Eric Opoku further stated that the REWARD targets 4.5 tonnes yields per hectare up from 3.5 tonnes, improving access to quality seed and mechanisation.
Targeting over 20,000 smallholder farmers, top on the agenda of this project is to support rice processing and storage.
Aside from the funds from the AfDB, the government of Japan has also provided a ¥394 million grant (approximately US$2.49 million) to strengthen rice seed production through equipment and technical support.
“These interventions form part of ongoing efforts to increase local rice production, reduce dependence on imports and strengthen food and nutrition security. Building a stronger rice value chain. Empowering farmers. Advancing food security,” the Ministry wrote on Facebook.
