The Ministry of Food and Agriculture will formally launch the REWARD rice project Ghana in the first week of November 2026, positioning the $18.8 million intervention ahead of the 2027 production season.
Agriculture Minister Eric Opoku said the African Development Bank funded Regional West African Resilient Rice Value Chains Project is intended to tackle persistent constraints in Ghana’s rice industry, from low productivity to weak processing and storage capacity.
“The ministry, in consultation with the bank, plans to formally launch the REWARD project in the first week of November 2026 so that the project is in place for the 2027 production season in the project areas.” - Eric Opoku
3,200 Hectares Targeted for Rice Production
The project will develop 3,200 hectares of land for rice cultivation in Ghana’s northern savannah ecological zone.
Farmers are expected to receive improved seeds, mechanisation support and other production inputs aimed at increasing yields.
More than 20,000 smallholder farmers across selected districts are expected to benefit, alongside processors, aggregators and other businesses operating within the rice value chain.
Government is targeting rice self sufficiency by 2028 and has set a national production target of 3.31 million metric tonnes of paddy.
Mr Opoku said milled rice production increased from about 650,000 tonnes in 2024 to 960,000 tonnes in 2025.
Despite that improvement, domestic production currently meets about 56% of national demand, leaving 44% to be covered largely through imports.
Ghana Spending $500m Annually on Rice Imports
The Agriculture Minister said Ghana spends approximately $500 million every year importing rice, putting pressure on foreign exchange while local farmers and processors remain capable of capturing a larger share of the market.
“That is money that could be earned by Ghanaian farmers, millers, and traders,” he said.
Government is also preparing a policy that would link rice import quotas to investment in local production.
Under the proposed arrangement, importers would be expected to establish verifiable partnerships with Ghanaian producers before receiving import permits.
Mr Opoku said the approach should not be interpreted as an attempt to shut out imported rice.
“We are not banning imports, which will only hurt consumers. Instead, we are channeling the value of imports into local production and empowering our farmers,” he said.
Processing Centres to Be Upgraded
The REWARD project will also support the establishment and upgrading of 10 strategically located rice processing centres.
Storage facilities are expected to be improved, while links between farmers, processors and buyers will be strengthened to reduce post harvest losses and improve access to markets.
A separate $2.5 million grant from Japan will provide equipment for the sector, including eight combine harvesters and 11 seed cleaning machines.
The equipment is expected to arrive in November 2026, adding to government’s broader push to narrow the gap between domestic rice supply and consumption.
