Stakeholders engaged in the rice value chain have united in a call to the government to amplify investments in research geared towards enhancing rice cultivation and production.
The appeal’s objective is to enable stakeholders to attain self-sufficiency in rice output through research. Key players believe that nurturing the development of high-yield variants and innovative technological apparatus for processing rice grains is the linchpin of this pursuit.
This appeal was announced during the selection of fresh rice varieties at a demonstration farm situated in Sokwai, within the Atwima Nwabiagya South Municipality of the Ashanti Region.
The stakeholders, including rice farmers, millers, seed growers, intermediaries, and consumers, came together to voice their shared concerns. Notably, this evaluative process sought to identify preferred rice strains amongst farmers and consumers, thereby facilitating the subsequent cultivation and propagation of these seeds.
Mr. Joseph Panada, a prominent rice farmer from Sokwai, lauded the consistent efforts of the Crops Research Institute (CRI), an entity operating under the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, for its annual release of new rice variants. He acknowledged the transformative impact this practise has had on both farmers and the wider rice industry.
Mr. Panada highlighted the financial constraints faced by many farmers in procuring these seeds directly from the breeders. Thus, he earnestly appealed to the Government to support breeders in generating more seeds at subsidised rates. This, he believes, would catalyse local rice production and consumption.
Emphasising the trifecta of crucial factors—optimal seeds, suitable land, and appropriate fertilizers—Mr. Panada underscored their vital role in achieving successful rice cultivation, asserting that adequate machinery and equipment for rice processing were also pivotal for ensuring quality.
Mr. Kwadwo Asempa, a seasoned seed grower stationed in Wiawso, expressed his preference for the “CRI-AgraRice” and “CRI-Amankwatia” variants. He extolled these strains as superior in the market due to their capacity to yield higher harvests. Mr. Asempa noted their robust tillering, formidable grain quality, and substantial size, and even likened them to imported rice brands.
In advocating for a truly competitive local rice market, Mr. Asempa highlighted the necessity for selected variants to stand on par with their imported counterparts. Moreover, he emphasised the requirement for easily accessible processing equipment to elevate the quality of locally produced rice.
Maxwell Ayirebi and Felix Botir, both millers hailing from Ntensere and Nobewam, spotlighted the allure of “CRI-Agyapa Rice” for consumers. Their sentiment echoed the plea for prioritising irrigation facilities to optimise crop yields.
Mr. Kirpal Agyemang Ofosu, Assistant Breeder at CSIR-CRI, pledged the dedication of researchers towards unveiling preferred rice strains for farmers. In tandem, he appealed to the Government for increased investments in rice research to augment production. He took the opportunity to commend the Korea Programme on International Agriculture for its pivotal funding support of the CRI’s research endeavours.
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