Rice Farmers in Ghana still waiting for Benefits of Government's Planting for Food and Jobs Programme

Rice farmers in Ghana are growing increasingly frustrated as they continue to wait for support from the government's Planting for Food and Jobs Programme. Despite the programme's promising outlook, many farmers have yet to see any practical benefits.

In an interview with Joy Business News, Nana Adjei Ayeh II, President of the Ghana Rice Inter-Professional Body stated that the programme's second phase has failed to deliver on its promises. 

“We saw a very good programme, the PFJ (Planting for Food and Jobs) 2.0. I don't know if it has been implemented. I'm a farmer, and most of my farmers haven't seen anything from the PFJ 2.0.  We are yet to see.” he added.

“It looks good on paper. Let's see practically how PFJ 2.0 is going to work for the farmers, we are waiting to see.'' he added.

He also revealed that the Ghana Rice Inter-Professional Body has partnered with agro-input company Calli Ghana to provide support to rice farmers. The partnership aims to provide agrochemicals, improved seeds, and extension services to boost rice yields across the country.

With Christmas approaching, the Ghana Rice Inter-Professional Body is urging the public to prioritize locally produced rice over imported brands. This, they believe, will help boost the country's local production and improve the economy. However, the country's reliance on rice imports remains high, largely due to outdated farming techniques, lack of improved seeds, and limited access to modern agricultural technology.

Source: Lead News online