AAC pledges sustainable agric practices

Peter Dawuni, the Northern Sector Coordinator of the Asean African Consortium (AAC), a subsidiary of the Jospong Group of Companies, reaffirmed the organization’s dedication to its “Rice Revolution” initiative in Ghana. Speaking at the UN Climate Change Conference in Baku, Azerbaijan, on November 19, 2024, Mr. Dawuni assured potential investors that the necessary land had been secured to support the ambitious project.

“We have legally acquired 200,000 acres of land to drive our rice revolution project, providing an excellent investment opportunity,” Mr. Dawuni said. “We have all the required documentation for this acquisition, and investors can rest assured that there will be no land-related challenges.”

He emphasized that AAC’s partnership with investors would not only address food security concerns but also contribute significantly to Ghana’s economic development. “Our focus is on creating long-term growth and improving food security, not just profitability,” he added.

Mr. Dawuni’s remarks were made during a presentation on Sustainable Practices in Food, Agriculture, and Water Management, where he highlighted the need for both public and private sectors to collaborate on addressing global food challenges.

The 200,000-acre land acquisition, part of AAC’s strategic plan, aims to reduce Ghana’s rice imports by producing 720,000 metric tonnes of rice within the next five years. Additionally, AAC plans to expand its investments across Africa, with a key focus on enhancing food security across the continent.

“We must work together to ensure food security for Ghana and its neighboring nations,” Mr. Dawuni stated.

To support sustainable agricultural practices, AAC has conducted extensive research into global best practices from countries like Thailand, Japan, China, and France. Among the methods being adopted are Alternative Wetting and Drying (AWD), composting, and agroforestry, which Mr. Dawuni explained help reduce carbon emissions and promote more efficient rice production.

“AWD is particularly beneficial for rice cultivation, and our increased use of compost is significantly reducing carbon emissions in Ghana,” he said.

In its push for sustainable agriculture, AAC is exploring both equity and debt financing options and is committed to implementing climate-smart technologies. The company is also focused on building collaborative public-private partnerships to advance climate-resilient agricultural practices.

Mr. Dawuni concluded by announcing that the Jospong Group, together with its partners, plans to enter large-scale commercial agriculture, initially focusing on the cultivation and production of onions, soybeans, maize, rice, and poultry.