The push for Ghana to become self-sufficient in rice production has gained fresh momentum this week after the West Africa Rice Investment Roundtable in Accra from June 2–3.
During the event, the Minister of Food and Agriculture, Eric Opoku was applauded for announcing the government’s policy to tie rice import permits to local investment to help boost local rice consumption.
But the Executive Director of Ghana Rice Federation, Kofi Akuamoah Boateng Baidoo observes that the agenda is beyond sloganeering and can only end importation of the staple with high quality harvests that meet consumer taste.
He said even though increasing production was ideal, producing high-quality rice for consumers would naturally generate demands, becoming a cycle that increased production to benefit producers, consumers and the government.
“Ending rice importation in Ghana will not happen through slogans, patriotism, or abrupt import bans. It will happen when Ghanaian rice consistently meets the expectations of major consumers of rice,” Mr Baidoo told the Ghana News Agency in an interview.
Rice farmers across the country are lamenting over lack of sales, prompting calls from the Peasant Farmers Association of Ghana to call for a six-month ban on importation to help clear the stocks.
However, Mr Baidoo advised matching production with consumer preference and directing import revenues to finance domestic expansion. This he added will enable the country to build a competitive rice industry in the shortest time possible.
“The solution can never be emotional protectionism. The solution is strategic transformation through ruthless and consistent execution,” he said.
The President of Ghana Rice Federation further argued that Ghanaians were willing to pay for more if quality local rice was produced, citing a 5kg bag of Thai rice on the Ghanaian market selling between GH¢140 and GH¢180, while 4.5kg sold for GH¢75 and GH¢130.
“This proves something important: Ghanaians are willing and able to pay premium prices for rice that meets their preferences. This is good news for the local rice industry,” he remarked.
Mr Kofi Akuamoah Boateng Baidoo called for the financing of a small group of smallholder farmers to produce high quality rice, in addition to acquiring large areas of land and subleasing them to commercial rice farmers.
He said a Rice Board free from politics can also effectively coordinate policy implementation and distribution of inputs, mechanised equipment, and incentives for both local and foreign financiers to invest in the local rice industry.
Mr Baidoo said it was important for the Centre for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), Irrigation Development Authority and Farmer based organisations like the Ghana Rice Federation to work collaboratively to match production to consumers’ taste.
He identified four “magic activities” that could shore up demand and investment in the domestic rice sector – rice, when cooked, should separate into individual grains, aromatic, free from impurities and with consistent quality every time.
“When the value chain practices and interventions ensure these issues are dealt with, it will lead to a demand for local rice and make it competitive to imported rice,” he said.
Source: GNA
