Rice production continues to make inroads in the South Tongu District in the Volta Region and gradually becoming one of the largest production areas in the country.
The district being blessed with land very suitable for the cultivation of rice is making everything possible to improve the fortunes of its economy by attracting investors who in partnership with the district assembly and traditional authorities established large rice plantations in the area.
Mr. Daniel Amelorku, District Chief Executive in an exclusive interview with Ghanadistricts.com disclosed that Global Agri-Development Company (GADCO) one of the production companies in the district has increased its production field in the district to 1,000 hectors making it the largest rice field in the country currently.
Another company, Brazil Agro-Business has also expanded its fields by 300 hectors making it 600hectors for the company.
As if this was not enough, a new company has started cultivation of 500 hectors just four days ago under out-growers scheme and is expected to employ some 500 farmers, the DCE stated.
Rice has become a major staple food in every community in Ghana and to meet the high demands of the commodity, Deputy Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, Mr Fifi Kwetey announced during a visit to the Fievie Rice Project last year that Government was poised to produce 20,000 metric tonnes of �highest grade� quality rice by 2012 to reduce rice importation.
This he noted was being worked at by encouraging Private Public Partnership policy and providing the necessary machinery to intensify production.
Mr. Daniel Amelorku who expressed delight at the rate with which the district is gaining ground in rice production said they would be delighted to have more of such investments adding that not only are they proving employment for the people but the various communities also stand to benefit immensely.
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