The National Coordinator of the Feed Ghana Programme, Bright Demordzi, has assured rice farmers grappling with market challenges that the government is taking urgent steps to address the current glut in locally produced rice.
Speaking on Channel One TV’s Face to Face monitored by NR News, Mr. Demordzi acknowledged that several rice farmers across the country are struggling to find buyers for their produce.
He attributed the situation to production levels outpacing market demand, noting that planning did not fully anticipate the magnitude of this year’s bumper harvest.
“If there’s a production issue, there will be difficulties. If there’s a harvesting issue, there will be some difficulty. If there’s even a market for the produce itself, there will be some difficulties. So, all along the line, you must have a plan for it,” he explained.
Mr. Demordzi disclosed that the glut resulted from unexpected high yields following limited-scale government interventions, which have yet to be fully implemented.
“We were not expecting that huge production. We did small interventions because we’ve not fully rolled out all our plans. And quickly, we have a huge production,” he stated.
He revealed that the government has already begun purchasing excess rice to stabilise prices and support farmers.
“We are now struggling to ensure that we buy the excess from the system. And we are on course. We are buying. And I think that in the next two to three weeks, this issue of the glut of the rice paddy will come down,” he assured.
The Feed Ghana Coordinator reaffirmed government’s commitment to strengthening market linkages, improving coordination, and enhancing planning along the agricultural value chain to avert similar challenges in the future.
