President John Dramani Mahama has expressed Ghana’s anticipation of high-yielding rice varieties from the Republic of Korea, aimed at increasing local rice production and strengthening bilateral cooperation to achieve national food security.
Ghana has been a beneficiary of the K-Ricebelt Project, an Overseas Development Assistance initiative by Korea designed to strengthen Ghana’s rice production capacity, which forms part of the broader goal of ensuring food security.
The President highlighted that rice production is a key pillar of bilateral cooperation between the two countries. He emphasized that boosting rice output is particularly important as rice has become a staple in Ghanaian diets and is currently the primary rice served in senior high schools through the Bufferstock Company, creating significant domestic demand.
“We have focused on agricultural development and agribusiness to achieve food security, and our cooperation with KOICA has been very important, particularly through the K-Ricebelt Project. We look forward to the availability of high-yielding rice varieties to increase rice consumption, because rice has now become a staple food in Ghana,” President Mahama stated.
Ghana has so far received 689 tonnes of high-yielding seeds under the project as of April 2025, placing it second among participating African nations. By comparison, Uganda has received 1,765 tonnes, Senegal 267 tonnes, Guinea 640 tonnes, Cameroon 24 tonnes, and Kenya 31 tonnes.
The project is guided by a Memorandum of Understanding signed in July 2023 between Korea’s Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs and seven African countries, spanning until 2027. It involves an investment of over $70 million, with a target to harvest 10,000 tonnes in the first year, rising to 100,000 tonnes by 2027.
Under the Rice Seed Production Improvement for Africa (RiceSPIA) project, Ghana has already achieved notable milestones, including the distribution of high-quality seed to farmers and the establishment of demonstration plots in key rice-growing regions. These efforts have enhanced local farmers’ capacity to cultivate improved rice varieties and adopt modern farming techniques, contributing directly to increased yields and productivity.
Additionally, the project has facilitated training programs for agricultural extension officers and local farmers, equipping them with knowledge on pest management, irrigation, and post-harvest handling. These interventions have not only improved the quality and quantity of rice produced but also strengthened Ghana’s position as a regional hub for rice research and production under the Korea-Africa agricultural cooperation framework.
President Mahama reiterated that strengthening rice production through such partnerships is critical for achieving food security, creating employment, and reducing dependency on imports, underscoring the government’s commitment to leveraging international cooperation for sustainable agricultural growth.
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