Rice farmers at the Kpong Irrigation Scheme are facing tough times due to rising costs, labor shortages, and stiff competition from imported rice. Despite their ability to produce high-quality seeds and harvest up to three times a year, market conditions have made it difficult to sustain production.
Solomon Buenor, General Secretary of the Seed Growers Association, criticized the government’s timing of large rice imports, which flood the market just as local farmers are ready to sell. He also lamented the lack of financial support from banks, including the Agricultural Development Bank, making it hard for farmers to expand their operations.
Labor shortages have also hit the farmers, leaving only two out of nine seed growers able to plant this season. The absence of harvesting equipment further slows down production.
However, a major boost came in 2017 when the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) intervened, improving seed quality through foundation seeds from Tamale’s Crop Research Station and Kumasi’s Crop Research Institute. This has helped attract buyers from beyond the irrigation scheme.
Project Manager Samuel Evans Lamptey called on the government to prioritize local rice farmers by enforcing policies that ensure ready markets and financial support. He believes this will reduce Ghana’s dependence on imported rice and strengthen the local rice industry.
