Ghana is set to roll out a $18.8 million rice production initiative in November 2026 as part of efforts to cut heavy spending on imported rice.
The project, known as the Regional West African Resilient Rice Value Chains Project (REWARD), is funded by the African Development Bank (AfDB) and will be launched ahead of the 2027 farming season.
The Minister for Food and Agriculture, Eric Opoku, disclosed that the Ministry, in agreement with the Bank, will officially outdoor the programme in the first week of November to ensure it is operational in time for production in the selected areas.
The initiative seeks to tackle major challenges facing the rice sector and reduce the country’s dependence on foreign rice.
Under the project, 3,200 hectares of land in the northern savannah zone will be developed for rice cultivation, with farmers receiving improved seeds, machinery and other inputs to increase yields.
More than 20,000 smallholder farmers in targeted districts are expected to benefit, alongside processors, aggregators and other players in the value chain.
This forms part of government’s plan to attain self-sufficiency in rice by 2028, with a national target of producing 3.31 million metric tonnes of paddy.
According to Mr. Opoku, milled rice output rose from about 650,000 tonnes in 2024 to 960,000 tonnes in 2025. Even so, local production accounts for only about 56% of national consumption, with the remaining 44% covered by imports.
The Minister revealed that Ghana spends close to $500 million every year importing rice, a situation that drains foreign exchange that could have gone to local farmers and businesses.
He said government intends to tie rice import permits to investment in local production, requiring importers to show concrete partnerships with Ghanaian producers before licences are granted.
He emphasised that government is not seeking to outlaw importation, but rather to use the import value to strengthen domestic production and support farmers.
The REWARD project will further support the creation and rehabilitation of 10 rice processing centres at strategic locations, enhance storage systems and improve linkages between farmers and markets.
In addition, Japan has offered a $2.5 million grant to boost the rice value chain, providing eight combined harvesters and 11 seed-cleaning machines, which are expected to arrive in November 2026 as government pushes to close the gap between local supply and demand.
