The Director of the Savannah Agricultural Research Institute (SARI) of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), Dr Francis Kusi, has expressed concern over the low patronage of locally developed crop seeds, despite substantial investment in their production and proven performance.
According to him, hundreds of tonnes of improved rice and maize seeds developed by the institute remain unsold, even as farmers and agricultural stakeholders continue to import similar products from abroad.
Speaking on Joy FM’s Super Morning Show during a JoyBusiness Agric Business Month discussion on “The Research Powering Ghana’s Daily Meals,” Dr Kusi described the situation as disappointing, particularly given the institute’s mandate to develop planting materials tailored to Ghana’s agricultural conditions.
“After this discussion, you can send your reporter to Tamale to see the stock of seeds that we have produced. Rice alone, we can count hundreds of tonnes, that is, hundreds of thousands of rice seeds sitting there, and nobody is coming to ask for rice seeds,” he said.
“Yet they keep importing,” he added.
Concerns Over Continued Seed Imports
Dr Kusi revealed that Ghana continues to import significant quantities of maize seed despite the availability of locally developed varieties that, according to research findings, outperform many of the imported alternatives.
“The importation mainly has to do with the maize seeds. We have data to prove the quantum of maize seeds that are imported into the country; meanwhile, we have developed varieties that are better than what they bring into the country,” he stated.
He noted that the institute has invested heavily in developing high-yielding, climate-resilient and locally adapted seed varieties to improve agricultural productivity and strengthen food security.
However, demand for these seeds has remained below expectations, leaving large quantities in storage and limiting the impact of years of agricultural research.
Threat to Food Security Goals
Dr Kusi warned that the continued preference for imported seeds could undermine national efforts to build a more resilient agricultural sector and reduce dependence on external inputs.
He stressed the need for greater awareness among farmers, agribusinesses and policymakers about the quality and effectiveness of locally developed seed varieties.
According to him, increasing confidence in Ghanaian agricultural innovations would not only support local research institutions but also contribute to higher crop yields, improved food security and reduced import dependency.
The SARI Director called for stronger collaboration among stakeholders in the agricultural value chain to promote the adoption of locally developed seeds and ensure that research investments translate into tangible benefits for farmers and the broader economy.
His comments come amid ongoing discussions about improving agricultural productivity, strengthening food systems and enhancing the role of scientific research in supporting Ghana’s agricultural transformation agenda.
