Rice farmers at the Dawhenya Irrigation Scheme have warned that rising production costs and lack of government support could force them to shut down operations, putting Ghana’s drive for rice self-sufficiency at risk.
According to the farmers, high electricity tariffs have become a major burden, with the scheme recently receiving a GH¢90,000 bill from the Electricity Company of Ghana.
Richard Afleh said the situation had become unbearable and could lead to a complete halt in farming activities if no urgent intervention is made.
He also raised concerns about encroachment on irrigation lands by private developers, warning that losing the land would further weaken local rice production.
Meanwhile, Maxwell Darko Asante said Ghana could soon face serious food security challenges if local rice producers are not supported.
He revealed that the Dawhenya Irrigation Scheme remains the only centre in the country producing certified rice seedlings, but farmers are struggling because government has failed to buy the seedlings already produced.
Professor Asante said many farmers had invested heavily in seed production only to be left without a market, creating financial strain and discouraging further production.
He also alleged that some actors within the rice and maize sectors were deliberately creating market gluts to justify continued imports at the expense of local farmers.
The concerns come as Ghana continues efforts to reduce dependence on imported rice and boost domestic food production.
