Deputy Minister of Food and Agriculture, John Dumelo, has called for a stronger emphasis on efficiency, scientific research, and targeted interventions to improve agricultural productivity in Ghana, particularly in the rice sector.
Speaking at the Citi Business Forum held in Accra on the theme “Harnessing Agribusiness for Economic Growth: Expanding Ghana’s Agribusiness Frontiers”, Dumelo highlighted the pressing need to modernize Ghana’s approach to farming.
Sharing insights from a recent study tour to South Korea, he revealed that the Asian country produces between six to seven tonnes of rice per hectare, nearly double Ghana’s current average of three to four tonnes per hectare.
“I think one of the most important things about agriculture is efficiency,” Dumelo said.
“It will interest you to know that South Korea has achieved remarkable success in rice production through research and strategic methods. We can replicate that here,” he added.
He stressed that efficiency is not simply about input supply but about optimizing every step of the value chain, starting with accurate data and science-led decision-making.
A critical area of concern, according to Dumelo, is soil testing. He argued that the common practice of distributing fertilizer across the country without first assessing soil conditions could lead to waste and suboptimal results.
“Soil testing is important, at the Ministry of Agriculture, we’ve empowered soil scientists to conduct tests nationwide. As politicians, we often focus on fertilizer distribution, but the real issue is whether we’re applying the right fertilizer to the right soil,” he said.
He explained that matching fertilizer types to specific soil conditions is essential to boosting yields and ensuring that public investment in agriculture yields tangible results for farmers and the economy.
Mr. Dumelo’s remarks come at a time when Ghana is looking to reduce its dependence on rice imports, which cost the country hundreds of millions of dollars annually. Increasing domestic production through research-driven techniques and efficiency measures has become a priority for the Ministry.
Last Updated on June 21, 2025 by Senel Media
