The Jospong Group Rice Project will reduce, if not eliminate, rice imports into the country, according to Dr. Joseph Siaw Agyepong, Chairman of the Jospong Group of Companies.
According to him, his outfit has a track record of detecting problems and providing solutions to them.
“Where we see a problem we confront and solve it and with this project that we have begun, the importation of rice must stop,” he said.
Dr. Agyepong made the remarks during the two-day Food Security Conference 2023, which was organised by the JGC in collaboration with the Asian African Consortium (AAC) and the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) at Gomoa Fetteh in the Central Region.
It was on the theme: “Enhancing Food Security: The .role of Ghanaian scientists”.
The workshop brought together scientists, researchers, government officials and other stakeholders in the rice and agricultural industry.
The core aim of the conference is to establish inter-institutional technical teams with clear roles and responsibilities to drive the production of selected commodities such as rice, jute, maize, soya beans, tomatoes and onions, and establish timelines for deliverables.
Dr. Agyepong urged stakeholders, particularly rice farmers and scientists, not to give up hope despite the lack of adequate policies to support the initiative.
He instead urged them to be hopeful that when “fruits begin to yield,” policies will change to benefit them, adding, “Whether policy is supporting or not, never be discouraged.”
He further asked the government not to be afraid of prohibiting rice imports for fear of starving Ghanaians.
Dr. Agyepong urged the government to be hopeful that, in the face of a ban, Ghanaian farmers would be challenged and empowered to produce quality rice for the populace.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
