Ghana Misses 2024 Rice Self-Sufficiency Target — IFS Warns of Structural Constraints
Ghana’s aspiration to achieve rice self-sufficiency by 2024 has been officially confirmed as unmet, according to remarks by Dr. Said Boakye, Acting Executive Director of the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS).
In a recent presentation, Dr. Boakye outlined key barriers undermining progress, and called for more decisive policy action to reverse Ghana’s dependency on rice imports.
The Gap Between Goal and Reality
- Despite the projection that Ghana would be self-sufficient in rice production by 2024, that goal has not been reached.
- The IFS report reveals that only about 2.6% of Ghana’s agricultural land is currently used for rice cultivation — a strikingly low proportion given the country’s ambitions.
- Meanwhile, Ghana continues to spend heavily on rice imports. In 2024, the country reportedly spent roughly GH¢1.98 billion on semi-milled or milled rice, and GH¢1.07 billion on broken rice.
- The 2024/2025 marketing year import requirement is projected to reach 950,000 tonnes, underscoring the widening gap between local supply and consumption.
These figures illustrate that Ghana remains heavily reliant on external sourcing of rice, despite repeated government interventions.
Root Causes: What Holds Back the Rice Sector?
In his analysis, Dr. Boakye (and the IFS report) cite several interconnected bottlenecks:
- Low Yields & Productivity
Ghana’s rice yields lag behind leading producers. One factor is minimal adoption of improved seed varieties and inadequate fertiliser use.
Only about 3% of farmers use certified seeds — far lower than levels seen in benchmark rice-producing countries. - Irrigation Limitations & Climatic Vulnerability
Irrigated rice farming remains minimal, leaving farmers vulnerable to erratic rainfall. - Poor Mechanisation & Infrastructure
Mechanisation of rice production and post-harvest management is weak, hampering productivity and quality. - Land Tenure & Access Challenges
Customary land systems and restrictions on long-term leases make it difficult for farmers or agribusinesses to scale operations. - Fragmented Institutional Coordination
Multiple agencies and programmes operate in silos, leading to policy discontinuities and inefficient resource allocation. - Consumer Preferences & Market Perceptions
Urban consumers often prefer imported rice (perceived as higher quality). This dampens demand for local production and weakens incentives for investment.
Recommendations & the Way Forward
To salvage the goal of rice self-sufficiency, Dr. Boakye and the IFS propose a comprehensive reform agenda:
- Establish a Rice Development Board (RDB)
A dedicated statutory body to coordinate everything rice: seed supply, irrigation, mechanisation, marketing, quality control, and extension services. - Promote Local Fertiliser & Seed Industries
Incentivise domestic production of fertiliser (reducing import dependence) and strengthen seed research, certification, and distribution systems. - Expand Irrigation & Mechanisation Support
Mobilise funds and public-private partnerships to expand irrigable land and subsidise mechanised equipment for smallholder farmers. - Land Policy Reform
Address land tenure constraints by facilitating long-term leases or dedicated agricultural land zoned for commercial cultivation. - Market Development & Branding of Local Rice
Improve local rice quality, packaging, branding, and quality assurance to win consumer confidence over imported alternatives. - Sustained Political Will & Funding
The ambitions of Ghana’s rice sector require long-term, nonpartisan commitment beyond political cycles.
Significance & Risks
The failure to meet the 2024 self-sufficiency target is more than a missed milestone — it signals that Ghana’s rice sector is mired in deep structural problems. Continued import dependence drains foreign exchange, undermines food security, and leaves local farmers competitively disadvantaged.
If reforms are not swiftly implemented, Ghana risks locking in more import dependency, stifling the potential of its agricultural sector to generate employment, reduce poverty, and diversify the economy.