Kennedy Osei Nyarko, Deputy Minister for Agriculture, is of the view that the nutritional value of Ghana’s local rice undoubtedly makes it the best in the world and there is the need for Ghanaians to patronise it.
According to Mr Nyarko, Ghanaians need a paradigm shift from eating imported rice to local rice because it is healthier and cheaper.
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“Ghanaians have developed a taste for foreign rice which is affecting our progress as a country and we are importing about $42m worth of rice every month into the country which is shocking and something needs to be done about it. Buying local rice will be beneficial to the economy,” he said.
Speaking in an interview on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen show, Mr Nyarko reiterated government’s commitment to reduce rice importation into the country.
“Complete ban on foreign rice not feasible but we have a final meeting with importers and other stakeholders to agree on the road-map to reducing rice importation in the country,” he added.
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Mr Nyarko assured that plans are underway to make rice cultivation in Ghana lucrative for farmers.
“We have created about 32 agric mechanisation centres and we are buying tractors and combined harvesters through Exim loan facility for rice farmers,” he added.