Socio-economic analysis of rice production in Ghana: Agenda for policy study

Abstract

This paper analyses some factors that adversely affect rice production in Ghana as a whole and at some irrigation projects in particular, and measures put in place to address them. The paper is based mainly on a field survey conducted at the Dawhenya Irrigation Project (DIP) between 2004 and 2007 as part of a policy study on irrigation agriculture in Ghana. The methodology used involved administering questionnaires to farmers and officials at the DIP, group discussions, and a feedback workshop with the farmers. The findings showed that the local rice industry had suffered from, among others, high cost of inputs and production constraints at the pump-type irrigation projects (PTIPs); particularly the high electricity tariffs that had resulted in closure of some irrigation schemes, including those at Dawhenya and Weija, difficulties in accessing credit, use of pooryielding seed varieties, inappropriate agronomic practices, limited mechanisation, poor processing methods, and poor marketing strategies. Policy interventions should address these challenges to enable the local rice industry produce enough food to feed the country and for export.