The Minister of Meals and Agriculture, Mr Eric Opoku, has referred to as for nearer collaboration and the sharing of experience between Ghana and Pakistan to spice up rice manufacturing and strengthen the worth chain.
He stated Ghana was able to accomplice Pakistan in areas comparable to analysis, expertise switch, and agro-industrial funding to make sure sustainable meals safety.
Mr Opoku made the decision on the maiden Pakistan Rice Present 2025 held in Accra on yesterday.
The 2-day three-nation roadshow, on the theme “Bridging Markets, Delivering High quality: Pakistani Rice for Ghana,” is being organised by the Commerce Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) beneath the Ministry of Commerce and the Pakistan Excessive Fee in Ghana.
The occasion can be being staged in Côte d’Ivoire and Senegal.
The roadshow is being attended by greater than 30 Pakistani enterprisees engaged in rice farming, course ofing, and exports.
It options business-to-business (B2B) conferences to hyperlink Ghanaian importers, merchants, and farmer-based organisations with Pakistani rice exporters.
Pakistan is among the world’s main producers and exporters of rice, with an annual manufacturing capacity of about 9 million metric tonnes.
Mr Opoku in his deal with stated Ghana’s rice consumption had risen sharply lately, however native manufacturing was but to fulfill demand regardless of authorities interventions. “Whereas we proceed to broaden irrigation services, mechanisation and farmer assist beneath authorities’s meals manufacturing programme, we acknowledge that high quality imports nonetheless play an necessary position in assembly demand and making certain meals safety,” he acknowledged.
He famous that Pakistan’s experience in producing premium basmati and long-grain rice currented a possibility for Ghana to not solely entry high-quality imports but in addition to be taught from Pakistan’s expertise in analysis, organisation, packaging, and distribution.
“This discussion board represents greater than a rice exhibition; it’s a platform for knowledge-sharing, commerce linkages, and long-term partnerships,” the Minister harassed. He stated potential collaborations might evolve into joint ventures in rice milling, packaging, storage, logistics, and expertise switch for Ghanaian farmers.
The Pakistani Excessive Feeer to Ghana, Mr Najeeb Durrani, described the occasion as a milestone in strengthening commerce and funding ties between the 2 international locations. “The Pakistan Rice Present is not only an exhibition. It’s a platform for mutual studying, sharing experience, and creating alternatives for sustainable commerce and prosperity,” he stated.
The Head of Delegation and Director of TDAP, Mr Athar Hussein Khoktar, stated Pakistan had the capability to export surplus rice to fulfill Africa’s rising consumption wants.
“Our annual home requirement is about three million metric tonnes, but we produce 9 million tonnes. This provides us the capability to export six million tonnes yearly,” he defined.
He stated Pakistan earned $4 billion in rice exports in 2024, with projections of $6 billion this 12 months.
Talking on the theme “Pakistan’s Rice: Empowering West Africa’s Meals Safety”, Mr Khoktar stated the present would open avenues for enterprise offers that would support West Africa’s rising meals wants.
He expressed optimism that the B2B engagements in Accra would translate into long-term accompliceships in commerce, funding, and agricultural innovation.
The Pakistan Rice Present ends as we speak with commerce exhibitions and bilateral conferences.
BY KINGSLEY ASARE
