In line with the President, Akufo-Addo led NPP Government’s quest to reduce food importation and promote the consumption of Ghana made goods, three (3) State Agencies namely; the National Service Secretariat (NSS), Ghana Armed Forces (GAF), and Crops Research Institute under the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR-CRI) are partnering the Bono East Regional Coordinating Council to begin large scale local rice production in the Kintampo North Municipality.
Speaking in an interview with the media in Techiman after the Bono East Regional Minister led high powered delegations from these Government agencies to visit the proposed farmlands (Rice valleys), revealed that the region is blessed with over 44,000 hectares of lands viable for rice cultivation at the Kintampo North enclave and Pru East & West areas, therefore, calling on other interested investors both home and abroad to take advantage and venture into the commercial rice project in the region.
He said it is his vision to make the Bono East region the most preferred or attractive destination for investment in Ghana and leaving no stone unturned in making the region’s agenda to become the rice production hub in the country and the sub-region at large a reality.
For his part, Hon. Isaac Baffoe Ameyaw Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for Kintampo North pledged the Assembly’s full support for the project as it will create several thousand jobs in the rice production value-chain while rice processing factories in the country would readily have raw materials on a sustainable basis and also improve the local economy of Kintampo, Bono East region and Ghana at large.
Rev Dr. Raphael Bam, Director in charge of Cereals Division at the Crops Research Institute commended Hon. Kwasi Adu-Gyan for this laudable initiative and said they discussed with the Bono East Regional Minister issues regarding land preparations, seedlings, and modernization or mechanization among others to quickly kick-start the project this year.
Mr. Oxford Osei Bonsu, Director of Projects at the National Service Secretariat revealed that it is expected that the pilot cultivation of about 3,000 hectares would begin this very farming season for both local consumption and export to earn Ghana more foreign exchange.
Source: Mybrytnewsroom/Kwabena Nyarko Abronoma
