Ghana must deliver on rice self-sufficiency by 2028
Ghana’s ambition to achieve rice self-sufficiency by 2028 is one that deserves serious attention. For a country that spends about $500 million every year on rice imports, producing more of what we consume is not only an economic necessity but also a matter of food security. The latest support for the rice sector provides a … The post Ghana must deliver on rice self-sufficiency by 2028 appeared…
Ghana's goal to attain rice self-sufficiency by 2028 demands close scrutiny. With the country spending around $500 million annually on rice imports, boosting domestic production is not only crucial for economic reasons but also for ensuring food security. Recent support for the rice sector presents a prime opportunity to transform this ambition into reality.
Over 20,000 smallholder farmers are set to benefit from an $18.8 million grant from the African Development Bank (AfDB) as part of the Regional West African Resilient Rice Value Chains (REWARD) Project. This initiative aims to enhance rice production, boost farmers' incomes, and reinforce the entire rice value chain. Japan has additionally contributed $2.5 million for machinery and equipment, including eight combine harvesters, trucks, and 11 seed-cleaning machines.
While these financial and material investments are substantial, they are merely a starting point. Ghana's government reports a rise in milled rice production from approximately 650,000 tonnes in 2024 to 960,000 tonnes in 2025; however, local output still only satisfies around 56% of national demand, leaving a 44% supply gap that must be closed to achieve the 2028 target.
This is where the substantive work begins. Farmers must be the focal point of the program. They require timely access to quality seeds, machinery, extension services, financing, and dependable markets. Simply increasing production does not suffice if farmers cannot sell their produce at prices that make farming profitable. The proposed development of 3,200 hectares in the northern savannah ecological zone is promising, as is the plan to equip seed centers and 10 strategically located rice processing centers.
Establishing storage facilities to curb post-harvest losses is equally vital. However, these facilities must function effectively. Equipment must be maintained, distributed appropriately, and made accessible to farmers in need. The initiative to tie rice import quotas to local investment is also worthy of close observation. Requiring importers to form verifiable partnerships with local producers could ensure that a greater portion of the value generated from the rice trade remains within Ghana.
Yet, this policy must be executed transparently and equitably, fostering local production without generating unnecessary shortages or making rice unaffordable for ordinary consumers. The Ghanaian Times views this as an opportunity to cultivate a robust and competitive rice industry, but achieving this objective necessitates strong government leadership and the active involvement of the private sector, financial institutions, processors, aggregators, farmer organizations, and local authorities.
Most importantly, this program must not turn into another well-intentioned initiative that loses steam post-launch. It must have clear objectives, regular monitoring, and accountability for the resources allocated. Ghana possesses the farmers, land, and growing capacity to produce significantly more rice. What is needed now is consistency, coordination, and action.
The time for discussing rice self-sufficiency is past. The funding, equipment, and plans are in place. Now, Ghana must deliver.
Written by urgent.news from Ghanaian Times's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
