‘2027 Budget is the best I have heard in my lifetime’ – Rice farmer

Rice farmer, processor and marketer Kwabena Amofa has praised the 2027 Budget, calling it the best he has heard in his lifetime and expressing confidence that its proposed interventions will boost local rice production. He said the Finance Minister’s agricultural announcements gave farmers renewed hope, particularly the government’s plans to reduce Ghana’s reliance on imported rice. 2027 Budget: Ato Forson announces four rice hubs to create 125,000 jobs Speaking on Adom FM’s Dwaso Nsem after the presentation of the budget, Amofa said he believed local rice farmers stood to benefit significantly from the proposed measures. “The 2027 Budget is the best budget ever read in my years on earth. This is the best budget I have heard over the years,” he said. He questioned why Ghana continued to import rice for consumption in schools when local farmers had the capacity to produce the commodity. “Tell me why we grow rice in this country but have to import rice for our schools? This is a grave sin that God would not have forgiven any minister or government,” he said. Amofa welcomed the government’s plans to support domestic rice production but expressed concern about the 2030 timeline set for achieving some of the targets. He argued that Ghana had enough arable land and water resources to increase production at a faster pace, adding that the country could make better use of its natural advantages. “Because we have arable lands across the country and rivers and water bodies we can depend on, we should be able to do more. When you grow rice, within four months, you can harvest it. So, if we are serious, we can even grow rice three times in a year,” he said. According to him, increasing local production would help reduce rice imports while creating jobs for farmers, processors, marketers and other businesses along the agricultural value chain. He said the farming community was ready to support the government’s initiative and commended it for recognising the importance of strengthening the local rice industry. “We thank God the government has seen the light. We, the farmers, are ready to grow rice,” he added. NA/BAI 2027 Budget: 'Come for your money' – Dr Ato Forson assures DDEP bondholders Source: www.ghanaweb.com
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