Following the federal government’s determination to improve rice manufacturing in the nation, the Jospong Group of Companies (JGC) has signed MoUs with key sector rice gamers in Thailand for the institution of Seed Development and Research Centre, Rice Mechanisation Centres, Bio-organic Fertiliser Production Centres, Supply of Farm Implements and Rice Mills in Ghana.
The completion of the above services will assist increase rice manufacturing in the nation which is able to drastically cut back its importation.
Presenting the 2023 Budget in Parliament final week, the Minister of Finance, Ken Ofori-Atta, stated as a part of efforts to promote exports, the federal government will develop the productive capability in the actual sector of the economic system and actively encourage the consumption of regionally produced rice, poultry, vegetable oil and fruit juices, ceramic tiles amongst others.
In the sunshine of the above, the primary batch of the technical workforce from Thailand is predicted to arrive in Ghana in December, this 12 months.
It follows a go to to Thailand by a workforce from JGC led by its Executive Chairman, Dr. Joseph Siaw Agyepong.
The workforce was in Thailand to understudy the Thai rice sector in order to replicate their experiences and technique in Ghana.
The intention of Jospong Group of Companies is to companion with main rice trade gamers in Thailand to present technical and gear support for your complete rice worth chain in Ghana with the goal of manufacturing rice for the native and export market.
The JGC delegation was supported by the High Commissioner of Ghana in Malaysia in cost of Thailand and different South-East Asian nations, H.E Mrs. Florence Akonor,
In her remarks, the High Commissioner indicated that the rice mission marks one other stage of bilateral cooperation between Thailand and Ghana for mutual advantages.
She expressed deep appreciation to the Honorary Consul, Dr. Sicha Singsomboon, and her workforce for his or her exhausting work in facilitating the go to.
She burdened that the collaboration was basic for deepening cooperation to enhance the economies of each nations, particularly for rice manufacturing.
Addressing a press convention on the sidelines of the journey in Bangkok, the Executive Chairman, Dr. Joseph Siaw Agyepong, known as on gamers inside the Ghana rice worth chain to collaborate for the event of the trade.
The importation of rice into Ghana exceeds 60% yearly, with dire financial penalties. Between 2007 and 2015, the quantity spent on imported rice rose from $151m to $1.2bn each year, with home consumption supplemented by imports primarily from Thailand, Vietnam and India. Ghana’s annual rice importation, which at present stands at 1.3billion USD, proceed to improve 12 months after 12 months. This unfavourable narrative in the rice sector can solely be modified with the injection of large capital by massive sector gamers from the personal sector. The determination of JGC heeding to the decision of presidency to enterprise into the sector, particularly in worth addition, is nice information.
The JGC has all the time led in enhancing lives of individuals by provision of options to issues.
Already, JGC has commenced its 100,000acres of rice manufacturing, with land banks secured. The Group intends to companion with the Ghana Rice Inter-professional Body (GRIB) and different native rice gamers to obtain this imaginative and prescient. The mission entails built-in rice farming strategies starting from seed growth, paddy cultivation, milling, packaging and advertising. The delegation visited and mentioned with captains of trade in the rice sector in Thailand. This included Thai Farmers Lifestyle and Learning Centre, rice gear producers akin to Kubota, Satake and Deler Engineering Services in addition to Thai EXIM Bank. The Thai EXIM Bank was impressed and thus expressed its readiness to support JGC. The delegation additionally visited Fertiliser producers, Institute of Food Research and Product Development, Kasetsart University.
