Ghana’s Minister of Food and Agriculture, Mr. Eric Opoku, has led a high-level delegation to Kebbi State, Nigeria, to understudy its acclaimed rice production model.
Speaking during a courtesy visit to the Deputy Governor of Kebbi State in Birnin Kebbi on Friday, Opoku said the new Ghanaian government, which came into office four months ago, is determined to overcome challenges in local food production.
“We inherited a huge import bill. Ghana imports a significant amount of rice despite having fertile land and water for cultivation. That’s why President John Mahama is deeply committed to achieving food sufficiency,” he said.
The Ghanaian team visited the WACOT Rice Mill in Argungu and toured rice-producing Fadama lands to observe the success story firsthand.
According to Opoku, the decision to visit Kebbi was driven by the state’s reputation for excellence in rice production and the impact of WACOT Rice Mill. He emphasized the shared agricultural aspirations between Ghana and Nigeria.
“This is the main objective of our visit. We are here to learn. Ghana and Nigeria share strong historical ties, and we look to Nigeria for guidance and collaboration,” he added.
