Rice glut to ease in 2–3 weeks – Feed Ghana Coordinator

The government says measures are underway to stabilise the local rice market and relieve farmers struggling to sell their produce following the recent glut.

National Coordinator of the Feed Ghana Programme, Bright Demordzi, disclosed that steps are being taken to purchase excess rice from the system and restore balance to the market. He made this known during an appearance on Channel One TV’s Face to Face programme with Umaru Sanda Amadu on Tuesday, November 4, a discussion monitored by Today.com.gh.

Mr. Demordzi admitted that the current challenge stemmed from an unexpected bumper harvest that outpaced local demand and exceeded market forecasts. He said the outcome was the result of smaller-scale interventions that produced much higher yields than projected.

“We did not anticipate such a huge output,” he explained. “We only implemented small interventions because the full plan hasn’t been rolled out yet. But very quickly, we’ve had a massive production surge.”

He noted that the government was already intervening to purchase the surplus and prevent further distress to farmers. “We’re working hard to absorb the excess. In the next two to three weeks, this issue of paddy glut will ease significantly,” he assured.

According to him, the Feed Ghana Secretariat is also reviewing planning and coordination mechanisms across the agricultural value chain to prevent similar challenges in the future.

Mr. Demordzi’s assurance comes amid rising concerns from the Chamber of Agribusiness Ghana (CAG), which has warned that the grain sector is nearing a crisis. The Chamber estimates that over 100,000 metric tonnes of maize and rice from the 2024 harvest remain unsold, leaving many farmers indebted and threatening the survival of local processors.

CAG attributes the worsening situation to the influx of cheap, smuggled grains that have flooded the Ghanaian market, forcing producers to sell below cost. The Chamber has urged the government to act swiftly, warning that continued inaction could cripple parts of the maize and rice value chains and undermine national food security.

Mr. Demordzi, however, maintained that the government’s ongoing efforts will stabilise the situation, safeguard livelihoods, and strengthen confidence among local producers.