The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has donated 30 motorbikes to the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA) to support Agricultural Extension Agents (AEA) in Ghana.

The donation was made as part of the Ghana Rice Production Improvement Project (GRIP). The project is implemented by MoFA and JICA, aiming to increase domestic rice production in the country. 

Chief Representative of JICA Ghana Office, Suzuki Momoko, stated that the donation was a testament to JICA’s ongoing commitment to supporting Ghana’s agricultural sector.

JICA has been assisting rice production in Ghana for over two decades.

The motorbikes are intended to help AEAs overcome challenges such as access to the sprawling fields in rural communities and limited transportation, which have hindered their ability to provide timely advice to farmers. 

The motorbikes are expected to help AEAs improve their extension services and increase the area they can cover in the project's target regions.

These areas include rain-fed ecologies in Bono East, Eastern, Oti, and Western North regions, as well as four major irrigation schemes: Kpong, Bontanga, Tono, and Weta. More frequent visits from AEAs will enable rice farmers to improve their cultivation techniques, leading to higher yields and better profits.

JICA believes that improving the productivity and profitability of individual rice farmers is essential for Ghana to achieve self-sufficiency in rice and improve the livelihoods of the farmers. 

Deputy Minister for Food and Agriculture, John Dumelo, formally accepted the motorbikes on behalf of MoFA, expressing his gratitude to the government and people of Japan.

He highlighted that the donation of motorbikes is both timely and strategic for the success of the "Feed Ghana Programme", which relies on agricultural extension officers reaching farmers in remote and underserved communities with necessary technologies.

Improved access will allow officers to provide on-the-ground support, monitor field activities, and respond quickly to issues, which will in turn strengthen farmer confidence and boost productivity. 

The Deputy Minister assured JICA that the ministry is committed to the proper use and maintenance of the motorbikes, which will be deployed transparently to achieve measurable and lasting results.

As such, the partnership between Ghana and Japan, through MoFA and JICA, is rooted in shared values of innovation, sustainability, and capacity building.