We need to unlock $3bn rice export potential
A groundbreaking study from the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) presents a compelling narrative on Ghana's untapped potential in the rice sector.
The research underscores that with strategic investments and bold land reforms, the country stands poised to earn over $3 billion annually from rice exports, catapulting the nation into a major player in the global rice market. (See our front page lead story in Wednesday’s issue of the Daily Graphic)
The capacity of a country to transform its rice fortunes hinges on harnessing its vast agricultural resources. The IFS study highlights that the country possesses approximately 5.9 million hectares of land suitable for rice cultivation – comprising four million hectares of lowlands and 1.9 million hectares of irrigable land.
Yet, a stark reality persists: Only 0.3 to 2.6 per cent of the country's total agricultural land is currently dedicated to rice production.
This contrasts sharply with rice powerhouses such as Thailand and Vietnam, where significant portions of farmland are allocated to this staple crop.
The acting Executive Director and Senior Research Fellow at IFS, Dr Said Boakye, emphasises that Ghana's 2022 paddy rice production of 1.28 million tonnes could surge by over 2,600 per cent if the nation optimally utilises its agricultural potential and adopts the right policies.
"If Ghana achieves an average rice yield of six tonnes per hectare like Vietnam, and fully exploits its 5.9 million hectares of suitable land for rice farming, the country can produce 35.4 million tonnes of paddy rice annually," Dr Boakye asserts.
Such output would not only satisfy domestic needs but also position Ghana as a formidable rice exporter.
The IFS study identifies critical bottlenecks constraining Ghana's rice sector: low fertiliser application, ineffective seed systems, limited mechanisation, and inadequate irrigation infrastructure.
Addressing these requires the establishment of a National Rice Development Board – a statutory body coordinating policies, programmes and investments across the rice value chain.
This proposed board would provide continuity, harmonise stakeholder efforts and ensure accountability beyond political cycles.
The government’s acquisition and fair redistribution of suitable land to farmers and youth groups via affordable leases, and collaboration with the Ghana Irrigation Development Authority to develop facilities on 1.9 million irrigable hectares are steps that can be taken to harness this potential.
Vietnam irrigates nearly 66 per cent of its arable land, while Ghana irrigates a mere five per cent.
Producing just 7.4 million tonnes of milled rice could yield exportable surpluses worth about $3.2 billion annually, IFS estimates.
Dr Boakye stresses that Ghana’s persistent rice imports reflect a policy failure rather than natural constraints.
"Ghana has the land, labour and technical knowledge – what’s missing is political will and strategic investment".
The Daily Graphic advocates decisive government action and stakeholder collaboration to unlock Ghana’s rice potential.
Establishing a Rice Development Board could institutionalise coordination, depoliticise interventions, and mirror the successes of Thailand and Vietnam.
With abundant land, a favourable climate and an entrepreneurial spirit, Ghana can transition from a rice importer to an exporter, fostering economic growth, jobs and food security.
This vision aligns with broader development aspirations as the country navigates agricultural transformation.
Seizing the opportunities in the rice sector also demands a concerted effort – translating study insights into tangible policies that drive prosperity.
The nation’s agricultural promise beckons, but it requires an ambition that would match its potential.
The country stands at a pivotal juncture in its quest for agricultural transformation, with rice emerging as a critical crop intertwined with food security, economic development and environmental sustainability.
As highlighted by the studies, Ghana's rice sector harbours immense potential – yet realising this requires embracing multidimensional sustainable approaches.
The rice sector embodies a confluence of challenges and opportunities.
Transitioning towards sustainable practices – underpinned by policy synergy, technological adoption and stakeholder collaboration – can unlock economic prosperity, enhance food security and safeguard environmental integrity.
With Ghana aspiring to reduce import dependency and elevate its global rice footprint, multidimensional sustainability is not merely an option but an imperative for resilient agricultural advancement.
