The Weta Rice Farmers Association in the Ketu North Municipality of the Volta Region is advocating for the consumption of locally produced rice. During a one-day financial capacity-building training for rice farmers in Dzodze, the association’s leaders underscored the importance of patronizing Ghanaian rice over imported varieties. They highlighted the freshness and lack of chemical preservatives in locally grown rice as significant advantages.
The leaders emphasized that consuming locally grown rice not only supports the livelihoods of farmers but also contributes to the nation’s economic growth by reducing dependency on imports. They argued that Ghanaian rice is of superior quality compared to imported varieties, cultivated and harvested meticulously to ensure it reaches consumers in its freshest state.
Sampson Klutsey Gamenyah, the patron for the Weta Rice Farmers Association, emphasized the need for Ghanaians to do away with misconceptions about local rice and patronize it. He believes that this will encourage Ghanaian youth to develop an interest in rice farming, ultimately reducing unemployment in the country.
The one-day financial capacity workshop organized for the rice farmers aims to create awareness for farmers to understand the role they play in the country and expose some of the challenges faced by them. Some of the rice farmers expressed hope that the workshop would open financial doors for them and also urged the government to come to their aid in terms of soft loans to address their financial challenges.
Overall, the advocacy for consuming locally produced rice is not only about supporting farmers and the economy but also ensuring that consumers have access to high-quality, fresh rice. It’s an effort to promote sustainable agriculture and contribute to the overall development of the nation.
