The Importation Of Rice Into The Country Will Be Eliminated Soon - Dr. Joseph Agyepong

Dr. Joseph Siaw Agyepong, chairman of the Jospong Group of Companies, has pledged that, with the advent of the Jospong Group Rice Project, the importation of rice into the country will be reduced, if not eliminated.

He explained that this was due to the fact that whenever the Jospong Group of Companies (JGC) identified a problem, it was always prepared to address and resolve it.

"When we identify a problem, we confront and solve it, and the importation of rice must end with this project," he said.

This was stated by Dr. Agyepong at the two-day Food Security Conference 2023, which was conducted in Gomoa Fetteh in the Central Region and was organized by the JGC in collaboration with the Asian African Consortium (AAC) and the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR).

The theme was "Enhancing Food Security: The Role of Ghanaian Scientists," and it brought together scientists, researchers, government officials, and other rice and agricultural industry stakeholders.

The purpose of the conference was, among other things, to establish inter-institutional technical teams with defined roles and responsibilities to drive the production of selected agricultural commodities such as rice, jute, maize, soya beans, tomatoes, and onions, and to establish timelines for deliverables.

Policy
In the absence of adequate policies to support the initiative, Dr. Agyepong urged the stakeholders, particularly the rice cultivators and scientists, not to lose hope.

Rather, he encouraged them to be optimistic that when "fruits begin to bear," policies will shift in their favor, adding, "Whether policy is supportive or not, never be disheartened."

In addition, he challenged the government not to dread prohibiting the importation of rice out of concern that ordinary Ghanaians would starve.

Dr. Agyepong implored the government to be optimistic about the Ghanaian farmer's ability to produce quality rice for the populace in the face of a ban.

Green revolution
Paul P. Bosu, the Director-General of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), stated that Africa and Ghana in particular had not completely realized the benefits of the Green Revolution despite its widely acclaimed success in Asia and Latin America.

He noted, however, that it was never too late to utilize modern technologies to introduce high-yielding varieties of rice, wheat, and other food crops, thereby boosting production and ensuring the food security of the nation and the continent as a whole.

In addition to the high-yielding variety, we also grow