The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has pledged GH¢35 million towards the establishment of a local rice seed production plant in Northern Ghana as part of efforts to strengthen the country’s food security and agricultural transformation agenda.
The facility, announced by the Minister for Food and Agriculture, Eric Opoku, on Tuesday, May 12, 2026, will be equipped with advanced machinery and is expected to improve the timely production of rice seedlings and increase access to high-quality seeds for farmers across the country.
The initiative is also aimed at enhancing Ghana’s rice subsector through the training of irrigation scheme officers and farmers in the operation and maintenance of modern agricultural equipment.
Speaking on the initiative, the sector minister said the project aligns with President John Dramani Mahama’s “Feed Ghana Programme,” which seeks to ensure stable food supplies throughout the year and reduce the country’s dependence on food imports.
“The establishment of this plant is directly consistent with His Excellency President John Dramani Mahama’s vision for food security under the ‘Feed Ghana Programme,’ which is projected to guarantee adequate food supplies for the nation all year round,” the minister said.
The minister also reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ensuring the effective use of the funds to achieve the broader goals of the Agriculture for Economic Transformation Agenda.
“As Minister, I pledge the government’s commitment to the judicious utilisation of this financial commitment, aiming to fully realise the goals of the Agriculture for Economic Transformation Agenda towards achieving food security and strengthening Ghana’s agricultural sector through strategic investment and capacity development,” he stated.
The project is expected to support local rice production, improve farmer productivity, and contribute to efforts to make Ghana more self-sufficient in food production.
