CSIR-CRI and KOPIA Partnership Introduces New High-Yield Rice Varieties to Boost Farming

Farmers across Ghana can now breathe a sigh of relief as the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research Crops Research Institute (CSIR-CRI) has introduced new rice varieties that promise high yields for mass production.

This exciting development comes as a result of a five-year partnership project between CSIR-CRI and the Korea Partnership for Innovation of Agriculture (KOPIA), with an investment of $500,000. The primary objective of this collaboration is to provide improved rice seeds to farmers in Ghana.

To facilitate this initiative, the new rice varieties will be cultivated on a 100-hectare land at the CSIR’s project site in Dawhenya, Accra. The introduction of these varieties is expected to complement the government’s Planting for Food and Jobs (PFJ) program, which aims to enhance food production and food security in the country.

Korean Ambassador to Ghana, Lim Jung Taek, expressed his optimism about the project, stating that they aim to provide the highest quality rice varieties to the Ghanaian market and contribute to the success of rice production in the country.

Farmers, such as Richard Martey, have welcomed this news with excitement. Martey emphasized that the new rice varieties hold great promise, not only in terms of their palatable taste but also in terms of generating higher yields and increased income for farmers.

For the most part, this partnership between CSIR-CRI and KOPIA signifies a significant step forward in the agricultural sector of Ghana. The introduction of high-yield rice varieties has the potential to transform farming practices and boost the country’s overall rice production.

With increased yields and improved incomes, farmers can look forward to a more prosperous future. All in all, this collaboration demonstrates the commitment to innovation and agricultural development, paving the way for a more sustainable and productive farming industry in Ghana.