Another boost for rice production: AAC, CSIR partner to boost rice production in Ghana

The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) has agreed to provide the Asian African Consortium (AAC) with scientific research to boost AAC's rice project in Ghana.

At the MoU signing ceremony in Accra on Thursday, April 27, 2023, the Chief Executive Officer of the AAC, Mrs. Adelaide Siaw-Agyepong expressed optimism about the collaboration of the two institutions stating that CSIR has immense value to contribute in fulfilling the ACC's objectives.

"AAC is excited with CSIR's partnership which will help to boost the whole value chain in Ghana's commercial rice production," she emphasized.

"We are also aware of CSIR's reputation for its unrivaled dedication to expanding global research and development reach," she noted.

She stated that the Jospong Group of Companies is also dedicated to generating solutions and bridging gaps with the world's most prestigious companies and organizations and that explains the decision to partner with CSIR.

The signing of the MoU and exchange agreement marks the beginning of a partnership that will lead to numerous new cooperative research projects that create new synergies and enhance the economic and research value of both AAC and CSIR as well as value to the nation.

Per the agreement, CSIR will be responsible for facilitating AAC's collaboration with various CSIR institutes across the country to depend on research and development to societal challenges for economic growth and development.

It will also provide training, technical assistance, and advisory services in research and development to AAC through science, technology, and innovation, and related issues.

This will be done by qualified and experienced scientists of CSIR to provide research and project support for the various AACs funded projects.

The Director General of CSIR, Prof. Paul P. Bosu touching on the agreement, noted that they will identify common areas of collaboration to address the overall mandate of the two parties.

And also develop a plan for collaborative operations between the two parties.

Again, the agreement will detail the scope and principles of engagement between the two parties.

The DG emphasized that "As the nation's number one research institution, we welcome this vision and we are poised to support it with the knowledge, expertise, and infrastructure that is available at CSIR".

In a brief remark, the Executive Chairman of Jospong Group Dr. Joseph Siaw-Agyepong called on Ghanaians to rise up to the occasion and be part of the solutions.

He challenged the CSIR to support the initiative to help make Ghana self-sufficient in rice and other crop production.

"The habit of importing (rice) must come to an end. If we join hands to produce and overproduce the importers will have no choice but to accept what we have" he challenged all.

The CSIR is the foremost science and technology organization in the country.

The mandate of the CSIR in broad terms is to pursue the implementation of government policies on scientific research and development.

CSIR research programs cover a wide range of activities in the following areas: Industry, Agriculture, Agro-processing, Fisheries, Forestry, Water Resources, Human Settlement Infrastructure, Environment, Health, Natural, and Social Sciences.