The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has pledged GH¢35 million towards the establishment of a local rice seed production plant in Northern Ghana, equipped with advanced machinery to improve timely seedling production and bolster national food security.
The Minister for Agriculture, Hon. Eric Opoku, announced the development in a statement, describing the initiative as a major boost for Ghana’s rice subsector.
According to the Minister, the initiative is structured to significantly contribute to Ghana’s rice subsector by ensuring access to high-quality seeds, enhancing the skills of irrigation scheme officers, and training farmers in the operation of new machinery.
The plant is expected to address long-standing challenges related to seed availability and quality, which have hampered productivity gains in the rice value chain.
The Minister noted that the establishment of this plant is directly consistent with His Excellency President John Dramani Mahama’s vision for the “Feed Ghana Programme,” a food security initiative projected to guarantee adequate food supplies for the nation all year round.
Hon. Eric Opoku pledged Government’s commitment to the judicious utilization of this financial commitment, aiming to fully realize the goals of the Agriculture for Economic Transformation Agenda.
“We are determined to achieve food security and strengthen Ghana’s agricultural sector through strategic investment and capacity development,” the Minister stated.
Further details on the timeline for the plant’s construction and operational framework are expected to be announced in due course.
Story Linda Asare
Source:
opemsuo.com