The youth have been urged to take advantage of opportunities in the rice value chain to create employment and create wealth for themselves.

Estimates from the Ghana Statistical Service indicate that Ghana spent GH¢1.98 billion importing milled rice and another GH¢1.07 billion importing broken rice in the year 2024.

According to a Report by the Competitive African Rice Platform (CARP), Ghana and AGRA published in April, investment in the rice value chain is a significant opportunity for economic growth, job creation, and food security.

The “Investment Guide for Stakeholders in the Rice Value Chain” says rice has become an important strategic crop in Ghana’s economy and its consumption keeps increasing because of population growth, urbanisation, and change in consumer habits.

“The rising demand for locally produced rice from institutions such as schools and hotels presents a significant opportunity to expand the domestic rice market and boost profitability,” the report noted.

The report also called for investment in rice input supply chains and the establishment of mechanisation service centres.

It additionally highlighted the need for credit facilities tailored to smallholder farmers to unlock the barriers relating to financing.

Further, the report called for joint ventures to establish state-of-the-art milling facilities, development of export-oriented packaging facilities, investment in brand development and market penetration strategies, and public-private partnerships to access regional markets.

The report also called for investment in climate-controlled warehouses to help minimise post-harvest losses caused by pests, moisture, and mould, ensuring better rice quality and longer shelf life.

The report additionally called for subsidies for inputs and equipment, as well as tax incentives for investments in agro-processing.

Reaction by young rice farmer

Rice farmer and co-founder of Bubuva Agro Ltd. in the Central Tongu District of the Volta Region, Julius Karl Fieve, agrees that the rice value chain offers valuable opportunities for young people.

“I strongly agree with the report’s emphasis on opportunities across the rice value chain, particularly beyond production, in areas like processing.

"My experience as a young rice farmer convinces me that there are substantial investment opportunities in this sector that other young people can tap into, especially given Ghana’s growing demand for rice and the gaps in the value chain,” he said.

He says areas like mechanisation and processing of rice present great opportunities.

“Mechanisation is a critical need in rice farming. Young people can invest in machinery rental businesses, providing harvesters and tractors to farmers like me on a pay-per-use basis,” he explained.

“The lack of modern milling facilities in the Volta Region means I cannot process my rice to meet market standards, such as those demanded by urban consumers in Accra or Tamale or Kumasi. Young entrepreneurs can invest in small-scale rice mills,” he explained.

“Quality seeds are a game-changer for rice farming, but access to improved varieties like AGRA rice or Jasmine 85 is limited in my area.

"I spend GH¢80,000 on seeds, often travelling to Asutsuare to source them. Young people can invest in certified seed production,” he observed.

The 36-year-old’s firm is cultivating 100 acres of upland rice, employing sustainable farming methods and striving for higher yields.

"My goal is to increase our output from the current 2.5 metric tons per acre to 4 metric tons per acre, contributing to Ghana’s rice self-sufficiency goals and reducing the country’s reliance on imports," he explained.

“As a young farmer, I see these opportunities as a chance to not only grow my business but also inspire other youth to join the sector, contributing to Ghana’s economic transformation while building sustainable livelihoods,” he added.