Ninety experts from the rice value chain across the ECOWAS region have gathered in Sunyani, the capital of Bono Region, to brainstorm and develop innovative strategies aimed at enhancing the competitiveness of the rice business in Africa.
This collaborative effort seeks to address challenges and unlock new opportunities within the industry, fostering growth and sustainability in the ECOWAS region and beyond.
The rice experts will share knowledge, discuss best practices and exchange valuable lessons while building networks for future collaborations. The six-day experts meeting also marks the launch of the inaugural session of the Rice Master Training Program (RMTP), an initiative spearheaded by AfricaRice in partnership with GIZ/MOVE and other collaborators.
RMTP is a comprehensive seven-month training initiative that consists of intensive three-week sessions. This programme aims to enhance the theoretical knowledge, managerial skills and practical expertise of African rice experts across the value chain.
Speaking at the opening session, Florian Winckler, Project Leader, GIZ/MOVE underscored the importance of rice as a staple crop and a key of food security in West Africa. He stressed the need for sustainable actions to achieve self-sufficiency in the region.
“As demand for rice continues to rise, with a projected self-sufficiency of 64%. Despite this, we continue to experience an annual production shortfall, which forces us to rely heavily on costly imports. This situation is not sustainable and calls for urgent action,” he said.
On his part, Dr Baboucarr Manneh, AfricaRice Director General, emphasized the need for training of African farmers to enhance their skills and knowledge to boost rice production.
“This Master Training Programme marks a pivotal step in transforming Africa’s rice value chain. By investing in knowledge, we empower farmers and entrepreneurs to drive food security, economic growth, and sustainable development across the continent. Therefore, we are very proud to be a part of a joint effort enabling rice farmers to acquire new competences and master new technologies to unlock Africa’s immense potential in rice production.”
In his remarks, Solomon Gyan Ansah, Director of Crop Services at the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA), expressed concern over the growing impact of climate change on rice production, which threatens food security, livelihoods, and the sustainability of agricultural practices.
He called for a concerted effort to integrate climate change considerations into relevant programs along the rice value chain.
“Climate change manifests in various ways, including erratic rainfall patterns, prolonged droughts, and an increased frequency of extreme weather events. All of these factors have detrimental effects on crop yields and farming communities,” he stated.
The Rice Master Training Programme
The Rice MTP is a collaborative effort funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF), organized by AfricaRice in partnership with GIZ/MOVE, ERO, JICA, the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA) Ghana and other private and public partners.
