Shaping Ghana’s Rice Future: Farmers Select Their Preferred Varieties
In a demonstration of farmer-led innovation, rice farmers from across various districts in the Greater Accra region, gathered at the Dawhenya Irrigation Scheme for a Farmers’ Field Day organized by the CSIR-Crops Research Institute (CSIR-CRI). The event gave farmers the unique opportunity to observe, compare, and select their preferred rice varieties—ensuring their voices directly influence future seed production and research priorities.
The field day which showcased sixteen (16) improved rice varieties, including seven newly developed ones, brought together about 100 rice value chain actors from Dawhenya, Ashiaman, the Kpong Irrigation Scheme, and Aveyime. They comprised farmers, researchers, seed producers, seed inspectors, extension officers, and development partners in a collaborative effort to improve varietal adoption and rice productivity.
The event offered farmers the unique opportunity to evaluate and rank the new and improved rice varieties based on traits important to them—such as yield, maturity period, pest resistance, drought tolerance, and grain quality.
Speaking at the event, the Director of the CSIR-CRI, Prof. Maxwell Darko Asante, indicated that the field day was part of the K Ricebelt Project, sponsored by the Rural Development Administration (RDA) of Korea through KOPIA Ghana, whose delegation was led by the Director, Dr. Kim Young Jin. “Under this project, the CSIR-CRI produces breeder and foundation seeds of stakeholder-preferred varieties and provides technical backstopping to farmers for certified seed production”, Prof. Asante stated. He also added that the project donated 300 MT of certified rice seeds to the Government of Ghana in 2024 and is expecting to exceed 400 MT this year.
The K-Ricebelt project, is aimed at providing small farmers in the beneficiary countries with resilient rice varieties to combat the challenges posed by the climate crisis. It is the Republic of Korea’s ODA project aimed at contributing to achieving zero hunger in Africa by building rice seed production complexes in African countries to produce high-yielding rice seeds and supplying them to farmers.
The Deputy Director-General of the CSIR, Prof. Marian Dorcas Quain, who was present at the event expressed her appreciation to the farmers and encouraged active participation from all stakeholders present. She added that the CSIR is leading efforts at advancing science, innovation and technology development in agriculture and called for continuous Government support in that regard.
The Technical Advisor to the Minister for Food and Agriculture, Hon. Kwasi Etu-Bonde, who represented the Minister pledged the Ministry’s full support for the activities of the CSIR-Crops Research Institute and indicated that the Ministry looks forward to the Institute’s vital role in advancing the Government of Ghana’s “Feed Ghana” programme. “As a Ministry, we are solidly behind you. Policies that will work to ensure this project succeeds, will be prioritized”, he said. He stated that it was the Government of Ghana’s desire to reduce rice importation in Ghana completely and as such the partnership between KOPIA and the CSIR was critical to achieving that. “This is a step in the right direction. Ghana needs farmer-preferred rice varieties if we are to reduce our rice imports and promote self-sufficiency”, he stressed.
Dr. Kim Young Jin, the Director of KOPIA Ghana, sponsors of the project, expressed his gratitude to the participants for attending the field day. He stated that KOPIA Ghana has been implementing the K Rice Belt Project since 2023 to improve Ghana’s rice value chain and enhance rice self sufficiency. He stated that the project plans to construct a 100-hectare paddy field for certified seed production in Ghana. He called for increased collaboration between KOPIA Ghana Center and the CSIR-CRI and pledged KOPIA’s continuous support towards the CSIR-CRI.
Madam Elizabeth Norkor Nartey, a rice breeder at the CSIR-CRI, emphasized that the participatory varietal selection (PVS) model is a critical bridge between science and practice. She indicated that the event represents a shift from top-down approaches to inclusive, participatory research. “We believe that the people who plant the seeds should help choose the seeds. When farmers are involved in selection, they’re more likely to adopt and benefit from the new varieties. “We want farmers to influence the varieties we advance. If they trust the seed, they will use it. That’s why we’re here today”, she stated.
Walking the Fields, Making Informed Choices
The heart of the event was a series of demonstration plots featuring improved and experimental rice varieties. Participants were guided through the plots with support from researchers recording their preferences based on observable characteristics like plant height, tillering ability, maturity period, yield, panicle size, grain quality, drought and aroma. With scorecards in hand, the farmers ranked the varieties according to their preferences.
Feedback from Farmers
“I saw a big difference between the varieties. This one grew faster and looks stronger. I’ll choose this for the next season,” said Edna Atuu, a rice farmer from Dawhenya. Mr. Paul Asante, a farmer from Ashaiman also stated that he preferred the CRI-Agyapa variety because it matured quickly and had stronger stems. “It will do well in unpredictable rainfall,” he added.
The event also attracted women farmers and youth groups, highlighting the growing interest in rice farming as a livelihood opportunity. “I look for varieties that are not just high-yielding but soft when cooked. That’s what our customers want at the market,” said Madam Catherine Sogbadzi, a rice farmer, miller, and market seller from Kpong. Youth participants expressed interest in mechanization, packaging, and rice processing opportunities that could stem from improved varieties.
“We want to grow rice not just as farmers but as entrepreneurs,” added Kwame Oppong, a young rice farmer. “We’re looking for varieties we can grow, package, and sell to restaurants and schools.”
Key Outcomes
A major highlight of the event was the selection of a high-yielding, highly aromatic, and Rice Yellow Mottle Virus-resistant variety developed through DNA marker-assisted backcrossing — a scientific breakthrough resulting from a project the CSIR-CRI. Farmers overwhelmingly selected this line as their preferred choice during the programme.
Dr. Kirpal Agyeman Ofosu, a rice breeder at the CSIR-Crops Research Institute, who led the teams through the fields expressed satisfaction at the varietal choices of the farmers and indicated that the data collected would be analyzed and used to inform breeding programs, seed multiplication, and varietal release decisions.“Today was not just a showcase, but a data-gathering mission powered by farmer voices,” said Dr. Ofosu, the project coordinator. “This is what participatory science looks like.”
As part of the event, each participating farmer received 1kg CRI-AGYAPA, the Institute’s flagship variety to plant and evaluate on their own fields in the coming season.
A Path Forward
Organizers plan to continue expanding participatory field days to other regions to strengthen farmer-researcher linkages and accelerate the adoption of improved rice varieties.
As Ghana pushes to reduce rice imports and boost local production, participatory initiatives like this are critical. By empowering farmers to make informed choices, the likelihood of successful adoption and improved yields increases significantly.
Author: Elizabeth Norkor Narte, Bernard Sakyiamah, Enoch Bobie Agyemang
