Wheat is a vital a part of Ghana’s meals provide, but it’s constantly imported into the nation in massive portions.
Data from Observatory of Economic Complexity (OEC) signifies that, the nation imports greater than US$230 million price of wheat yearly.
To reduce down on the import and save the nation from draining its overseas change reserves, a number one agricultural firm, Arima Farms Ghana, and Crops Research Institute of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CRI-CSIR) have launched the Ghana Wheat Initiative.
The undertaking is designed to advertise home wheat manufacturing, cut back imports, and create financial alternatives for farmers.
Speaking on the launch, Saalai Manikam, Managing Director of Arima Farms Ghana, highlighted the importance of the initiative.
“The intervention marks a bold step toward ensuring food security in Ghana, thus, it is important for all stakeholders to support the effort to achieve wheat self-sufficiency and empower farmers”.
As a part of the initiative, CRI will analysis and develop wheat varieties which can be drought tolerant, excessive yielding, and biofortification with zinc, iron, and protein.
Other varieties equivalent to Wheat Pride 999, developed by Greenpride (India), will probably be launched alongside wheat varieties from CIMMYT. 326 wheat germplasm had been unveiled on the launch.
“These varieties have undergone rigorous testing across six regions and agroecological zones of Ghana and have shown promising results”, Saalai hinted.
The Ghana Wheat Initiative goals to kick-start large-scale home wheat manufacturing whereas decreasing Ghana’s reliance on imports.
With rising considerations over international wheat provide chains, the initiative represents a significant step towards self-sufficiency, making certain that Ghana can meet its personal wheat calls for whereas supporting native farmers and industries.
The Ghana Wheat Initiative is the results of a two-year analysis and improvement collaboration between Arima Farms and CRI, with assist from key companions, together with Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, the Indian High Commission in Ghana, the West and Central Africa Wheat Network (WECAWHEAT), the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT), the Ministry of Food and Agriculture in Ghana, and the Catholic Relief Services (CRS).
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