Bolgatanga, Feb. 13 GNA – Mr Francis Ennor, the Upper East Regional Director of Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA), says plans are underway to develop about 1,000 hectares of potential rice valleys in the Upper East Region to expand and improve rice production in the area.
He said the Obaatanpa care project, through the Crop Services Division of MoFA, was expected to develop 700 hectares of land in the Builsa South district and 300 hectares in the Garu district.
According to him, preliminary surveys and consultations on the release of land had been conducted by the division in collaboration with the directorate to ensure the start of work.
Though the region has shown high potential for the production of rice over the years, rice valley development has not received much attention.
With over 7000 potential valleys in the Builsa South district, the area put to use for production is about 500 hectares, which was developed by stakeholders, including the Rice Sector Support Project, and the northern rural growth (NRGRD) for Development.
In an interview with the Ghana News Agency on rice valley development, the Regional Director said apart from the Ministry, investment in valley development had not received much support and reiterated that the participation of the private sector was key.
To address the challenges, he advocated for increased collaboration between the government and the private sector to invest in rice valley development to help commercial rice farmers boost production.
According to him, there were more than 15 major rice valleys alone in the Builsa South District, which when adequately developed and put to use, could change the fortunes of the region.
He said the new project would target 40 per cent of the youth into rice production and incorporate nuclear farmers, who would provide the youth with the needed support and direction.
‘All the districts of the region have valleys and these need to be developed,” he said and called on communities to give out the land for such purposes to boost production.
He noted that private sector investment was low because of land ownership issues, adding such ventures were expensive for an investor to be present at a rice valley with all the needed machinery only for the business to be short-lived after one harvest because community members wanted their land back for personal use.
GNA