• Reference: P-GH-AAB-001
• Approval date: 18/05/2001
• Start date: 10/03/2004
• Appraisal Date: 05/02/2001
• Status: On goingOnGo
• Location: 18 DISTRICTS IN 5 REGIONS
• Implementing Agency: --

Background

Under «Ghana Vision 2020» rice production development is expected to play a key role in achieving national food security, contributing to reduction of poverty and imports. Between 70 and 83 per cent of Ghana’s rice is rain-fed and cultivated in the valleys. Development of inland valleys by water control technologies will go a long way towards increasing productivity and total production of rice.

Rationale

Rice has become an important staple food and cash crop in Ghana. Its consumption per capita is increasing steadily due to rapid population growth, particularly in the urban areas. However, the country has to import some two-thirds of  national requirements. The potential for increasing local rice production exists due to favourable conditions natural  within the country. The Government has identified about 12,800 ha of potential  inland valleys  throughout the country which are suitable for rice cultivation if major constraints related to production, post-harvest and marketing are removed and the farmers are fully involved in appropriate developments.

An integrated approach is planned, involving smallholders, NGOs, and institutions including the Crop Research Institute, Soil  Resarch Institute, the West African Rice Development Association, the Ghana Irrigation Development Authority, the Water Resources Research Institute, and the University of Ghana Agricultural Research Institute. The project envisages to build on the experience and know-how of the target beneficiaries. The project will be based on demand-driven and participatory approaches.

Objective

The main project objective is to increase incomes of smallholder rice producers in the project area by increasing production of good quality rice.

Description

The project components are as follows

• crop production;
• credit provision;
• capacity building;
• adaptive research and studies;
• and  project management.

 

Benefits  

The project will increase rice production and farm incomes and therefore contribute to reduction in poverty. It will also reduce imports of rice and save Ghana foreign exchange.

MOHAMMED El-Tayeb Al-Amin - OSAN2

Finance source	Amount
ADF	UAC 15,002,600
Government	UAC 2,092,200
Total	UAC 17,094,800