Northern Caucus Unveils Plan to Boost Commercial Rice Production

The Northern Caucus of Parliament has announced a new initiative aimed at expanding commercial rice production in northern Ghana as part of broader efforts to create jobs and stimulate economic growth in the enclave.

Under the programme, six Municipal and District Chief Executives (MDCEs) and selected traditional leaders will be sponsored to Kenya to study that country’s large-scale rice production model. The visit, scheduled for this weekend, is expected to equip local authorities and traditional leaders with practical strategies to drive commercial rice cultivation at home.

In addition, Ghanaian investors are arranging a separate learning tour for members of the caucus to Vietnam, one of the world’s leading rice-production hubs. The trip will expose them to advanced rice-processing techniques and operational models that could be replicated in Ghana to improve processing capacity and boost investment in the rice value chain.

Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga disclosed the plans during a meeting with members of the Diplomatic Corps on Tuesday, November 4.

“We are sending six municipal and district chief executives this weekend to Kenya… to study the commercial production of rice,” he said, adding that chiefs from the targeted rice-growing areas will also participate in the trip.

He further revealed ongoing engagements with rice importers to explore how locally produced rice could substitute imports. As part of that collaboration, the importers have agreed to fund a study visit to Vietnam for the caucus and five prominent traditional leaders.

“The importers suggested that they would like to take us to Vietnam… so that we see what Vietnam is doing, which makes them go there to pick the rice, and if we could replicate such practices here,” Ayariga explained.

The initiative is expected to position northern Ghana as a competitive rice-production hub, create employment opportunities, and provide a guaranteed market to farmers through partnerships with major rice importers.