WeComm Agri-Media and Consultancy Limited and Chi-Gaba, an out grower farmer support scheme, have launched this year’s Nserewa rice production project in Weta in the Volta Region.

The event, which had hundreds of farmers and stakeholders in the rice value chain in attendance, was used to prepare the farmers for the upcoming major season of rice, and officially roll out the Chi-Gaba out-grower support for rice farmers in the Volta Region.

Speaking at the launch, the Project Lead for the Chi-Gaba rice project, Eugene Zorri, assured the farmers that the support they will receive this year will take them through the full cycle of production and ensure better yields and returns at the end of the season.

“We are going to give all participating farmers the total input needed for this season to ensure their continuous production. We are giving you seeds, fertilizer, crop protection, mechanization support, technical support as well as other things that may come up. We are doing this as part of our continuous support to the industry and to you and we know at the end of the season you will get better yields and better rewards,” he said.

He further revealed that the inputs supplied to the farmers were provided by Newage Agric Solutions Limited, a total agriculture inputs and solutions provider.

On his part, the CEO of Newage Agric Solutions, William Kotey, encouraged the farmers to be committed to the right agriculture practices to ensure that Ghana’s quest to be rice sufficient is achieved.

“We all know what is happening in the world right now. Fertilizer prices have gone up, seed prices have gone up and the other inputs have gone up. We, as Newage, have been unrelenting in supporting farmers and growing Ghana’s agric industry. I want to urge all of you to use the inputs well, employ the right agronomic practices and work with the technical officers on the ground, so that we can make Ghana food sufficient.”

Taking his turn, the Ketu North Municipal Director of Agriculture, Lovelace Kudoto, called for more collaboration and support for farmers to drive national development.

“Agriculture is a collaborative endeavour. When funders, input suppliers, farmers and off-takers work together, the benefits are immense. I want to urge banks, investors and the general public to see agric as a viable industry that will drive national development and invest,” he said.

The Chi-Gaba rice project is supporting over 500 farmers to produce rice on 1200 acres in Weta, Asutuare, Kpoglo and Golokwati. The scheme which is run by Ghana’s leading agriculture powerhouse, Newage Agric Solutions, is funded by the Nserewa crowd-farming scheme.

Chi-Gaba ensures that farmers are provided with the necessary input and technical assistance for the farming season. After harvest, farmers pay back for the input in the form of produce.

Currently, Chi Gaba is working with about 10,000 farmers on maize and soya production. This rice scheme becomes the third Chi-Gaba scheme in the country, after Chi-Gaba Maize and Chi-Gaba Soya.