Monitoring and evaluation report on rice parboiling technology and economics facilitated by master trainers in Upper East and Northern regions of Ghana

Abstract

Domestic rice production in Ghana has been far less than demand, hence rice is imported to make up for the shortfall in supply. Rice consumption rate has been increasing as a result of population growth, urbanization and change in consumer habits, taste among other factors. Rice parboiling is a major income generating activity in Northern Ghana. The quality of the local parboiled rice compared to the imported ones varies significantly. The goal of this training was to increase the competitiveness of domestic rice supply to meet increasing regional demand. Terms of reference (TOR) was developed between Christian Aid (CA) and CSIR- Food Research Institute (FRI) with respect to training 36 trainers (ToTs) drawn from YHFG, SMA, GTLC and Nyebyona to deliver training at the communities of beneficial groups. In the TOR it was expected that FRI carried out a Monitoring & Evaluation audit. Rice imports into Ghana over the past six years have ranged from 384,000MT in 2009 to 414,000MT in 2014 (NRDS, 2015). The current estimate of per capita consumption is 34.0 kg/person/year. The Ministry of Food and Agriculture policy documents over the years notably, FASDEP I, FASDEP II, GPRS I & II, MTADP, AAGDS and others, have sought to promote rice production to address food security and poverty reduction (NRDS, 2015). Generally, in the processing and marketing sectors, women are the major actors at the small to medium scale levels. Promoting the home-grown rice industry will enhance the output and income of the small holder farmers, processors and traders. Rice consumer preference in Ghana has a wide variation with respect to grain quality characteristics. However, long grain, cleanliness, aroma, good taste, swelling capacity and good appearance are the most preferred quality characteristics. Furthermore, health-conscious consumers patronize indigenous brown rice. Parboiled rice is preferred mostly in the Northern savannah part of Ghana, there is however significant demand in other parts of the country