Ghana has been able to cut rice imports by 30 per cent and increase local production of cereals by 59 per cent, says Food and Agriculture Minister Kwesi Ahwoi.

The feat was achieved through the government’s policies and interventions, which included the Northern Rural Growth Programme aimed at contributing to an equitable and sustainable poverty reduction and food security among rural households and to increase income of northern rural households, he said Monday.

Others were subsidised fertilizers, distribution of improved seeds, farm machineries, the Savannah Accelerated Development Authority project and other rice projects initiated by the government.

Ahwoi was speaking when addressing a function organised by the Ministry of Agriculture in collaboration with Agricultural Development Bank for nominees for this year’s Farmer’s Day National Award scheduled this Friday.

It is estimated that Ghana spends more than US$450 million annually on rice imports to augment local demand.

In 2009, the country spent US$218 million on imported rice against US$187 million in 2008 and US$157 million in 2007.

In spite of efforts made in local rice production, the cost of production remained high and uncompetitive in the domestic market believed to be due to relatively cheaper imported rice from the US, Taiwan, Vietnam or Thailand.