Agro-ecological and infrastructural barriers to sustainable rice production in Republic of Ghana: a systematic analysis and ways forward
Type:
Article
Pages:
from 499
to 502
Status:
In work
Received:
15.08.2026
Accepted:
15.08.2026
Published:
15.08.2026
Language:
Russian
Keywords:
Republic of Ghana, rice, rice yield, water-saving rice cultivation technologies, rice irrigation regimes, nature-like technologies
Abstract:
Rice is a strategic agricultural crop for Republic of Ghana, accounting for 15% of GDP and ensuring food security for millions of households. However, over the past decade, the gap between domestic production and consumption has widened dramatically, reaching 50% dependence on imports. Despite significant progress in rice production in recent years, domestic rice production only covers 47% of total demand of 1.5 million tons. The primary challenge to achieving rice self-sufficiency is the lack of rice irrigation systems, modern, water-efficient rice cultivation technologies, and a sufficient number of specialists capable of implementing them across Ghana. Consequently, the average annual rice yield across the two seasons (wet and dry) ranges from 2.5 to 3.5 t/ha, with potential yields of 10 t/ha for various varieties. Therefore, this paper provides a comprehensive analysis of the systemic barriers hindering the development of rice cultivation in Ghana. Based on a synthesis of modern literary sources (2013-2025), four key clusters of problems were identified: soil degradation and salinization; climatic instability with a temperature increase of 0.21°C per decade; critical insufficiency of land reclamation and processing infrastructure with 77.6% manual labor; irrational management of water and nutrient resources. Particular attention is paid to the reclamation aspect: it has been proven that with the use of only a small share of the irrigation potential and the prevalence of a rainfall cultivation regime, the sector remains extremely vulnerable to weather anomalies. A concept for transitioning to integrated resource management is proposed, including scaling up drip irrigation systems and the wet-dry cycle (AWD) method, using biochar and rice straw for soil restoration, and introducing stress-tolerant Oryza glaberrima varieties. A paradigm shift is needed: from extensive import substitution to sustainable intensification based on the principles of agro-ecology and climate-smart agriculture.
Rice is a strategic agricultural crop for Republic of Ghana, accounting for 15% of GDP and ensuring food security for millions of households. However, over the past decade, the gap between domestic production and consumption has widened dramatically, reaching 50% dependence on imports. Despite significant progress in rice production in recent years, domestic rice production only covers 47% of total demand of 1.5 million tons. The primary challenge to achieving rice self-sufficiency is the lack of rice irrigation systems, modern, water-efficient rice cultivation technologies, and a sufficient number of specialists capable of implementing them across Ghana. Consequently, the average annual rice yield across the two seasons (wet and dry) ranges from 2.5 to 3.5 t/ha, with potential yields of 10 t/ha for various varieties. Therefore, this paper provides a comprehensive analysis of the systemic barriers hindering the development of rice cultivation in Ghana. Based on a synthesis of modern literary sources (2013-2025), four key clusters of problems were identified: soil degradation and salinization; climatic instability with a temperature increase of 0.21°C per decade; critical insufficiency of land reclamation and processing infrastructure with 77.6% manual labor; irrational management of water and nutrient resources. Particular attention is paid to the reclamation aspect: it has been proven that with the use of only a small share of the irrigation potential and the prevalence of a rainfall cultivation regime, the sector remains extremely vulnerable to weather anomalies. A concept for transitioning to integrated resource management is proposed, including scaling up drip irrigation systems and the wet-dry cycle (AWD) method, using biochar and rice straw for soil restoration, and introducing stress-tolerant Oryza glaberrima varieties. A paradigm shift is needed: from extensive import substitution to sustainable intensification based on the principles of agro-ecology and climate-smart agriculture.
Keywords:
Republic of Ghana, rice, rice yield, water-saving rice cultivation technologies, rice irrigation regimes, nature-like technologies
Republic of Ghana, rice, rice yield, water-saving rice cultivation technologies, rice irrigation regimes, nature-like technologies
