Gov’t to establish two rice factories in Upper East to prevent rice glut losses – Builsa South DCE

Government is set to establish two rice processing factories in the Builsa South District in the Upper East Region.

The factories will be established at Fumbisi, under the Rural Enterprise Programme, funded by the Agriculture Development Bank (ADB), with the other to be constructed by the Ministry of Agriculture.

The two factories is expected to create a ready market for rice producers and also address  issues of post-harvest losses within the region.

Speaking at the 35th Farmers’ Day celebration at Gbedembilisi, Builsa South District Chief Executive (DCE), Daniel Gariba, indicated that so far, consultants have assessed the site and recruitment processes for the youth in the district manage is underway.

He also revealed that the Ministry of Food and Agriculture has procured for installation, another rice processing plant for the district.

Mr. Gariba hinted that about 1,000 more hectares will be developed to make the district a hub of rice production.

Highlighting the importance of the factories, the Builsa South DCE said, the intervention forms part of government permanent solution to addressing rice glut in the district.

He noted “The District has been in the news for the reason that farmers operating in the Fumbisi rice valleys complained about the failure to get buyers for their produce due to excess rice harvested during this farming season. “

Rice farmers at the Fumbisi and Gbedembilisi valleys this year, bemoaned a rice glut at the valleys as a result of a lack of ready market for their produce with complains of some rotting away on the farms.

Mr. Gariba allayed the fears of farmers against any rice glut next year since the factories will be ready before the harvesting season to buy all their produce.

He reiterated government’s commitment to roll out interventions in the Agric sector to create more jobs for the youth and thus reduce youth unemployment in the country.