A delegation from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Headquarters in Japan has paid an advisory visit to the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research–Savanna Agricultural Research Institute (CSIR-SARI) at Nyankpala in the Northern Region to discuss ongoing cooperation in the rice value chain.
The delegation, led by Dr. Hiroshi Hiraoka, included Mr. Tatsuo Narabu and Mr. Nobuaki Oizumi of the Ghana Rice Production Improvement Programme (GRIP), Prof. Ryoichi Ikeda, Short-term Seed Expert to GRIP, Mr. Joseph Nartey of the Ghana Irrigation Development Authority (GIDA), Mr. Godfred Antwi of PPMDY, Mr. David A. Sarpa of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA) Directorate of Crop Services, and Mr. Dawuda A. Salam, GRIP Coordinator for the Savannah, North East, and Northern Regions.
They were received by Dr. Francis Kusi, Director of CSIR-SARI, his Deputy, Dr. Joseph Adjebeng-Danquah, and other scientists of the Institute.
The purpose of the visit was to monitor the progress of activities under the JICA-GRIP initiative, in which CSIR-SARI has been a major partner. Dr. Hiraoka explained that JICA is reforming its programme focus to emphasise two priorities: increasing adoption of improved technologies and promoting rice intensification. The discussions also addressed post-harvest challenges facing rice production and the need for mechanisation interventions.
Mr. Alex Yeboah, Acting Head of the Rice Improvement Programme at CSIR-SARI, acknowledged the support received from JICA, especially in capacity building for seed production, and noted that the knowledge acquired was being put to effective use in the field.
Dr. Kusi welcomed the delegation and assured them of CSIR-SARI’s readiness to continue collaboration to improve rice production in Ghana. He highlighted available land resources at the Institute which, when developed, could significantly contribute to national rice seed demand. He mentioned the upcoming REWARD project, which is expected to support land development for rice seed production.
After the meeting, the delegation toured rice fields at the Nyankpala Research Fields and the Botanga Irrigation Scheme. They expressed satisfaction with the progress made and shared recommendations for strengthening the rice value chain.
