The Commercial Rice Growers Alliance Ghana (CRAG) has congratulated all Ghanaian farmers on the occasion of the 41st National Farmers’ Day, while commending the government for maintaining this key annual celebration that recognises the nation’s agricultural workforce.

In a statement issued on Saturday, December 6, CRAG lauded the government for a renewed directive instructing public institutions, particularly schools, hospitals, and security services, to procure Made-in-Ghana rice for internal consumption.

The Alliance described the policy as “a positive step toward building stable markets, reducing import dependence, and supporting local producers.”

CRAG also acknowledged several interventions outlined in the 2026 Budget, including the expansion of mechanisation services, improved access to agricultural inputs, increased irrigation development, and support for agro-industrialisation.

The Alliance noted that these measures align strongly with Ghana’s national ambition to achieve rice self-sufficiency.

Despite these gains, CRAG emphasised the need for more robust and coordinated action to address persistent gaps in the rice value chain, particularly high production costs, limited access to machinery, and unfair competition from cheap imports.

The Alliance outlined four priority measures to accelerate transformation in the sector:

1. Affordable Inputs and Machinery Access – Provision of rice-specific machinery such as combine harvesters and land-levelling equipment through Farmer Service Centres, along with subsidised or affordable input packages for commercial and emerging rice farmers to reduce production costs and stabilise output.
2. National Rice Advisory Committee – Establishment of a multi-stakeholder advisory body comprising government agencies, private sector actors, farmer groups, millers, aggregators, research institutions, and development partners to provide coordinated guidance, resolve sector challenges, and strengthen policy implementation towards self-sufficiency.
3. Stronger Private Sector Engagement – Incentivising millers, processors, aggregators, and buyers to procure locally grown rice, alongside fostering long-term public–private partnerships within rice enclaves and industrial parks as part of the 24hr+ Economy plan and broader agro-processing agenda.
4. Phased Reduction of Rice Imports and Promotion of Local Consumption – Implementing a structured and gradual reduction of imports, enforcing border controls to prevent market flooding with unregulated rice, and intensifying consumer campaigns such as “Eat Ghana Rice” in collaboration with value chain stakeholders.

CRAG reiterated its readiness to work with government, development partners, and the private sector to modernise production, improve quality, and expand processing and marketing opportunities for Ghanaian rice.

“Ghana is capable of growing the rice it consumes,” the Alliance stated. “With targeted investments, stronger market linkages, and decisive policy implementation, the country can achieve full rice self-sufficiency.”

The Alliance reaffirmed its commitment to advocate for fair pricing, protect farmer livelihoods, and ensure that rice production becomes a profitable and competitive enterprise across the country.