The Statistics Research and Information Department of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture has announced the Volta region as the leading producer of rice in Ghana.
[contextly_sidebar id=”SOnbkOlLEeIBc0QXCsGYBi9aZSCYyE9R”]A study conducted by the department revealed that the Volta region has increased its annual rice production from 43,944 metric tonnes in 2008 to 190,450 metric tonnes in 2014 making it the highest producer of rice in the country currently.
In an interview with citnews, the Regional Crop Officer Mr. Frank Matah said the region has a vast fertile land and experiences two rainfall patterns giving it a competitive advantage over the other regions.
“The Volta region has two rainfall regimes in a year and with the River Volta flowing through the region, there is enough water supply to the farms.”
He said the feat represents only yields from 28% of a total land area of 155,545 hectors suitable for rice production in the region. Adding that the region has potentials of producing about 380,000 metric tonnes of paddy rice capable of augmenting the increasing demand in the country.
He however called on investors and farmers to take advantage of the fertile lands in region and move into rice production to fill the country’s food basket.
A significant land area of the region falls within the Volta River Basin with the River flowing through the valleys in the region; a landscape suitable for arable farming.
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By: King Norbert Akpablie/citifmonline.com/Ghana