Rice importation to be reduced by 50% - Agric ministry

The Ministry of Agriculture says plans are far-advanced to reduce the importation of rice by at least 50 percent this year (2019).

This, according to the ministry, is to enhance the growth and consumption of local rice in Ghana.

Speaking to Citi Business News, Deputy Minister of Agriculture, George Oduro said measures such as the ‘planting for food and jobs’ as well as the newly-introduced irrigation land facility system should help reduce the importation of rice by half.

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“This year alone, our target is to stop the importation of rice by 50 percent, maybe we can achieve that or more.” he said.

Currently, Ghana imports 331 million dollars of rice annually, a situation development stakeholders have described as worrying.

The minister, however called for a collaborative effort to achieve this feat.

“We are putting measures to stop these importation of these food items because the possibility of us producing them here is there, we can. But only if we come together to show the interest. That is the only way we can solve this problem,” he added.

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Source: YEN.com.gh