Rice Farmers Yet to See Benefits from Planting for Food and Jobs Phase II – GRIB President

Rice farmers in Ghana say they have yet to see tangible benefits from the second phase of the Planting for Food and Jobs (PFJ) Programme, despite expectations that the initiative would provide much-needed support to local agricultural production.

In an interview with JoyBusiness, Nana Adjei Ayeh II, President of the Ghana Rice Inter-Professional Body (GRIB), expressed disappointment over the lack of practical outcomes from the government’s flagship programme for rice farmers.

According to him, while the PFJ 2.0 programme appears promising on paper, its implementation has been lacking.

“We have seen the outline of a good programme in PFJ 2.0. But as a farmer, I can tell you that many of us have not seen any real benefits from it. We are still waiting to see what happens,” Nana Ayeh II stated. He added that as the programme nears its completion, many farmers are still hopeful but uncertain about the tangible outcomes.

“While it looks great on paper, we are waiting to see how PFJ 2.0 will practically support farmers,” he continued.

The GRIB president made these remarks during the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Ghana Rice Inter-Professional Body and agro-input company Calli Ghana, aimed at providing support to rice farmers through access to improved seeds, agrochemicals, and extension services.

Call for Private Sector Support

Nana Ayeh II also called for increased private sector involvement in the rice industry, urging businesses to partner with local rice producers by providing essential support, such as affordable inputs, agronomic expertise, and access to low-cost financing.

He emphasized the importance of building partnerships to strengthen local rice production and help address the challenges facing the sector.

Boosting Local Rice Production Ahead of Christmas

Looking ahead to the Christmas season, the Ghana Rice Inter-Professional Body is optimistic that demand for locally produced rice will increase.

Nana Ayeh II appealed to Ghanaians to prioritize locally grown rice over imported brands to help boost local production and support the country’s agricultural economy.

“Locally produced rice is a valuable resource. I encourage Ghanaians to choose local rice this holiday season to support our farmers and strengthen the domestic agricultural sector,” he said.

Despite rice being a staple food in Ghana, the country remains heavily reliant on imported rice. Several factors have contributed to this, including outdated farming methods, limited access to modern agricultural technologies, insufficient irrigation systems, and the lack of improved seed varieties.

Partnership with Calli Ghana

The partnership between GRIB and Calli Ghana is expected to provide significant support to rice farmers, with the distribution of agrochemicals, high-quality seeds, and extension services designed to boost rice yields across the country. With these interventions, GRIB hopes to enhance the capacity of local farmers to increase production and reduce the country’s dependency on rice imports.

While farmers wait for the expected support from the PFJ 2.0 programme, they are hopeful that initiatives like the collaboration with Calli Ghana will help them navigate the challenges they face in the industry.