Crops Research Institute of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR-CRI) and Arima Farms Ghana, a leading agricultural company, have launched the Ghana Wheat Initiative, a project aimed at promoting domestic wheat production.
The project would also reduce imports, create economic opportunities for farmers, rural communities, and processors.
It also aims to improve food security and nutrition in Ghana as well as enhance the competitiveness of Ghana’s wheat sector.
Currently, researchers and other partners are pioneering a commercial social enterprise model of the Wheat Project in the Kumawu District that blends sustainability with economic growth.
Dr Felix Frimpong, Project Lead Researcher from the CSIR-CRI, at a launch of the programme at Fumesua, near Ejisu, said the initiative had introduced Wheat Pride 999, developed by Greenpride (India), alongside varieties from the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT).
These were carefully selected for heat and drought tolerance, zinc, iron, and protein biofortified, high yields and climate resilience.
These varieties have undergone rigorous testing across six regions and agroecological zones of Ghana and have shown promising results, Dr Frimpong revealed.
He urged that to accelerate production, the Varietal Release Committee must fast-track approval and ensure that farmers could cultivate wheat without delays.
Dr Frimpong was optimistic that protecting intellectual property rights and securing fair market access remained key to attracting long-term investments in the food crop.
He commended their global partners, Mahindra & Mahindra, and Jain Irrigation for bringing cutting-edge mechanization and irrigation solutions, while the India High Commission and the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) continued to strengthen Ghana-India agricultural cooperation.
Madam Saalai Manikam, Managing Director of Arima Farms Ghana, emphasized the importance of the initiative, adding that, it was “a bold step toward Ghana’s food security.”
The Project, she believed, was a call to action and stakeholders must join in achieving wheat self-sufficiency and empowering farmers in Ghana.
She said the Ghana Wheat Initiative was a result of a two-year research and development collaboration between Arima Farms and CSIR-CRI.
She commended the Otumfuo Osei Tutu II Foundation, Indian High Commission, Ghana, West and Central Africa Wheat Network (WECAWheat), CIMMYT, Ministry of Food and Agriculture, and the Catholic Relief Services (CRS) for supporting the initiative.
