Ghana needs more irrigation dams to boost rice production

Accra, Nov. 2, GNA - Mr John Awuni, Corporate Affairs

Director of Finatrade Group of Companies, on Tuesday

appealed to government to construct irrigation dams at all rice

growing areas, nationwide. This he said would not only increase rice production and

ensure food security, but also discourage and reduce the

importation of the product.

"Most farmers in the country depend on rain for their production and the construction of irrigation dams will engage them all year round to maximise profits and reduce the rate of unemployment."

Mr Awuni made the appeal when members of the Hohoe Municipal Rice Farmers Union visited the warehouse of "The Rice Master", a subsidiary of Finatrade. He said rice had become the unofficial staple of the country and therefore needed special attention to meet the demands of consumers throughout the year. "A higher percentage of the rice we eat is imported and if rice production in the country increases, it will also reduce the importation and I urge all of you to step up your production levels." Mr Awuni said although government had constructed a

number of dams to boost food production over the years, they

are woefully inadequate. The Corporate Affairs Director also appealed to government

to tighten the exit and entry points of the country as a way of

checking the influx of smuggled rice into the country. Dr Ben Dadzie, Senior Agronomist at Value Chain

Specialists, a technical advisory organisation to rice farmers said

the Hohoe rice farmers union now has a membership of 804 and

cultivating a total of 3,975 acres of land. He said apart from the practical training that they provide the

farmers, they also hold periodic orientation for them to raise their

production levels. Dr Dadzie commended Finatrade for offering ready market

for their products. "We are very sure that in the few years to come, local rice

production will increase to reduce the importation which is

expensive and less nutritious than our rice." He added.