Editorial: Insufficient funds to absorb excess rice!

The National Food Buffer Stock Company (NAFCO) has disclosed that it requires at least GH¢770million to purchase excess rice and other grains from farmers across the country, amid growing complaints from producers over limited market access.

This comes after rice farmers accused NAFCO of failing to fully implement President John Dramani Mahama’s directive to procure locally produced rice for schools, while some second-cycle institutions allegedly continue relying on imported rice.

NAFCO spokesperson Emmanuel Arthur said the current GH¢100million released by government is insufficient to absorb the large quantities of unsold grains held by farmers. He further disclosed that in the 2026 national budget government indicated it would provide an additional amount to support the grain procurement exercise.

“In the 2026 budget, government indicated that they’re going to give us an additional                     GH¢200million. We’re waiting for it.”

All this comes amid increasing pressure from local rice farmers who say delays in grain purchases are affecting their incomes and leaving large volumes of produce unsold.

Government had earlier directed NAFCO to buy rice from local farmers for use in the Free Senior High School Programme as part of efforts to support domestic agriculture and reduce dependence on imported food products.

The National Food Buffer Stock Company has debunked claims by rice producers that government appointees are failing to enforce a directive requiring public institutions to purchase locally produced rice.

The company insists it has consistently bought rice from local farmers and says challenges in the sector are largely due to production levels exceeding its current purchasing capacity.

Ghana is currently experiencing a severe rice glut as of late 2025 and early 2026, with over 1.3 million metric tonnes of paddy rice stuck in warehouses in northern regions – largely because the local market lacks the processing, storage, and purchasing capacity to absorb the high volume of local production.

The Minister for Food and Agriculture, Eric Opoku, believes calls for a ban on rice importation are premature.

“At the end of 2024, Ghana’s rice demand was estimated at 1.5 million tonnes while local production hovered around 650,000 tonnes. If we impose a ban now without being able to meet demand, we’ll create another crisis.”

Under the Feed Ghana Programme, government’s target is to make the country self-sufficient in rice production by 2028 – after which a ban could be considered.

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