The Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA) and the National Food Buffer Stock Company (NAFCO) have disclosed plans to rope in all senior high schools in the country into a 100 per cent consumption of locally produced rice by the next academic year. Addressing the media in Accra, the CEO of NAFCO, Hanan Andul-Wahab stated that government will feed all students in the over 400 schools under governments Free SHS program with locally produced rice. He said currently, only the Northern and Greater Accra region schools are consuming Ghana rice but this will change from next academic year. The CEO indicated that a technical committee has been put in place and it is currently in talks with some five commercial banks, rice millers and stakeholders within the value chain to find a lasting solution to the rice glut experienced in Northern Ghana. As part of measures, Avnash Industries Ghana Ltd is buying produce from farm gates in the Northern Region where there have been reports of excess stock of paddy rice in the past months due to lack of market. The CEO of NAFCO indicated that eight strategic agreements have been reached by the Technical Committee on rice importation, financing and marketing in a conclusion to sign a Memorandum of Understanding. As part of financing the value chain, some commercial banks also want the government to introduce a stimulus package as being implemented under the 1D1F model. NAFCO has decided to refer licensed suppliers to local millers and marketers while issuing a license to Avnash Industries Ghana Ltd to purchase and supply Ghana rice to the over 400 schools under the Free Senior High School program. In the coming days, NAFCO and allied agencies will roll out campaigns and media advertisements to encourage the consumption of local rice. NEW FACTORY According to the DCE of Builsa South, Daniel Gariba plans are far advanced to build two rice processing factories in the district to cater for the next production season. The factory according to the DCE is being built by the Ministry of Food and Agriculture and the Ministry of Trade. A first factory, Mr Gariba stated will cost $200,000 including the installation of machinery while the cost for the second factory is yet to be determined.