The African Development Bank (AfDB) has approved an $18.8 million grant to support Ghana’s rice sector through the Regional West Africa Resilient Rice Value Chains (REWARD) Project. The initiative aims to increase domestic rice production, strengthen food security, create jobs, and reduce the country’s dependence on imports.
The project will focus on improving productivity across Ghana’s rice value chain by supporting climate-resilient farming practices, expanding access to quality agricultural inputs, promoting mechanization, and improving irrigation and land development in key production areas.
Rice remains an important part of Ghana’s agricultural economy, but domestic production has struggled to keep pace with rising demand. The country’s reliance on imports has increased exposure to global price fluctuations, creating challenges for food security and affordability.
Through the REWARD Project, the African Development Bank will support farmers and agribusinesses by improving production systems, modernizing rice processing facilities, strengthening market connections, and encouraging greater private-sector participation in the sector.
Implementation will focus on selected districts within Ghana’s Northern Savannah Ecological Zone, a region with strong agricultural potential but where productivity has been affected by climate risks, limited infrastructure, and weak links between farmers and markets.
The project is expected to contribute to job creation throughout the rice value chain while helping farmers adopt more sustainable and resilient agricultural practices. Improved processing and market systems will also enhance the competitiveness of locally produced rice and support income growth for rural communities.
According to the African Development Bank, the investment aligns with Ghana’s agricultural transformation goals under the Feed Ghana Programme and supports broader efforts to develop resilient food systems across West Africa.
By strengthening rice production capacity, improving market access, and investing in climate-smart agriculture, the REWARD Project aims to help Ghana move closer to food self-sufficiency while promoting inclusive economic growth in rural areas.
