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0 News Ghana, Latest Updates and Breaking News of Ghana, News Ghana, https://newsghana.com.gh/west-african-experts-launch-bold-plan-to-revive-regional-rice-industry/
Ninety agricultural specialists, policymakers, and entrepreneurs from across West Africa converged in Sunyani, Ghana, this week to confront a pressing dilemma: how to transform the region’s struggling rice sector into an engine of food security and economic resilience.
The six-day summit, organized by the Africa Rice Center (AfricaRice) and backed by German and global development partners, marks the launch of a groundbreaking seven-month training initiative designed to equip experts with cutting-edge strategies to overhaul every link in the rice value chain—from seed quality to market access.
Dubbed the Rice Master Training Programme (RMTP), the effort targets a glaring paradox. While rice consumption in West Africa has surged by 5.5% annually—driven by urbanization and population growth—local farmers meet just 64% of demand, forcing the region to spend billions on imports. “This isn’t just about filling plates; it’s about reclaiming sovereignty,” said Florian Winckler of GIZ/MOVE, a key partner in the initiative. “Every grain imported is a missed opportunity for our farmers and a drain on our economies.”
The stakes are steep. Climate shocks, from erratic rains to prolonged droughts, have slashed yields and deepened vulnerabilities for smallholder farmers, who produce over 80% of the region’s rice. Solomon Gyan Ansah, Ghana’s Director of Crop Services, warned that shifting weather patterns now pose an “existential threat” to rural livelihoods. “If we don’t bake climate resilience into every policy and practice, we risk losing entire harvests—and generations of farmers,” he told attendees.
The RMTP aims to counter these challenges by blending technical training with hands-on innovation. Over three intensive weeks, participants will dissect topics like sustainable irrigation, disease-resistant seed varieties, and digital tools for soil management. AfricaRice Director General Dr. Baboucarr Manneh framed the program as a “continental game-changer,” stressing that empowering farmers with knowledge could unlock Africa’s latent potential as a global rice powerhouse. “We’re not just teaching techniques—we’re building a network of leaders who’ll drive this transformation,” he said.
Critics, however, question whether training alone can dismantle systemic barriers. Chronic underinvestment in rural infrastructure, limited access to credit, and cheap imported rice flooding markets have long stifled local producers. Winckler acknowledged the hurdles but argued the RMTP’s focus on public-private collaboration—including partnerships with Japan’s JICA and Ghana’s agriculture ministry—could catalyze broader reforms. “This isn’t a silver bullet, but it’s a critical step toward rewriting the rules,” he said.
As the conference opened, attendees traded success stories: Ghana’s rising adoption of high-yield seeds, Nigeria’s push to mechanize milling, Senegal’s experiments with drought-tolerant varieties. Yet the mood underscored a shared urgency. With climate disasters intensifying and global rice prices volatile, West Africa’s quest for self-sufficiency is no longer optional—it’s survival. For the experts in Sunyani, the message is clear: the time to act is now.
News Ghana, Latest Updates and Breaking News of Ghana, News Ghana, https://newsghana.com.gh/west-african-experts-launch-bold-plan-to-revive-regional-rice-industry/
