Ghana has made a historic breakthrough in agricultural production, with wheat cultivation yields reaching 4.7 tonnes per hectare in 2025, matching leading global benchmarks.

This achievement marks a pivotal moment for the nation, which has long relied on wheat imports to satisfy domestic demand.

The official launch of Ghana’s first large-scale wheat cultivation initiative took place in February 2025.

The project is being spearheaded by Dr. Agr. Felix Frimpong of the Crops Research Institute (CRI) under the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research.

Trial investigations conducted during the cold-harmattan season yielded results comparable to those of major wheat-producing nations.

For decades, Ghana has depended almost entirely on imports from Canada, Russia, and various EU countries, importing approximately 1.0 million metric tons of wheat annually at a cost exceeding US$600 million. National per capita consumption currently stands at 37 kg per year.

“The initiative aims to reduce Ghana’s dependence on foreign wheat-based foods, such as bread and pastries, by boosting domestic production,” Dr. Agr. Frimpong noted.

The project is being funded by the Arima Farms with the provision of elite wheat germplasm by international research organizations - CIMMYT and ICARDA.

The team of scientists have implemented precision agriculture techniques and introduced resilient wheat varieties under advanced irrigation systems across Ghana’s savannah, transition, forest, and coastal savannah agro-ecological zones.

“The initiative has received strong endorsements from the Ministry of Food and Agriculture and the Government of Ghana, underscoring a firm national commitment to scaling up wheat production as part of broader food security and import substitution strategies,” he added.

Beyond reducing Ghana’s reliance on imports, this achievement creates new opportunities for local farmers, processors, and rural communities, paving the way for a more self-sufficient and efficient agricultural sector.