Jospong Rice unveiled to hit the markets

The Asian African Consortium (AAC), a subsidiary of the Jospong Group, has officially launched Jospong Rice, a new and exciting addition to Ghana’s agricultural sector.

The rice product was unveiled at Agrifest 2024 in Accra under the theme “Building Climate-Resilient Agriculture for Sustainable Food Security.” The Minister of Food and Agriculture, Bryan Acheampong, described the rice as “Authentic Ghanaian rice,” further emphasizing its local roots and high quality.

Grown and processed entirely in Ghana, Jospong Rice meets international standards, offering a nutritious and flavorful option for consumers. This initiative not only supports local farmers but also contributes to strengthening the national economy, demonstrating AAC’s commitment to enhancing Ghana’s agricultural capacity.

By promoting domestic production, Jospong Rice seeks to reduce Ghana’s dependence on imported rice, a market that currently costs the country over GHC6.8 billion (about $560 million) annually. This aligns with the government’s strategy to stimulate economic growth through import substitution.

Adelaide Agyepong, CEO of AAC, highlighted that Jospong Rice marks a major step toward ensuring the nation’s food security. Through investment in local agriculture and sustainable practices, AAC aims to build a more resilient food system for the future.

At the Agrifest event, AAC showcased its innovative approach to sustainable food security, presenting modern agricultural machinery and mechanization services that attracted significant attention. The company engaged with key stakeholders—ranging from agrochemical suppliers to financial institutions and government agencies—forming strategic partnerships to further boost the agricultural sector.

AAC’s commitment to transforming Ghana’s rice industry includes significant investments in high-quality seeds, modern production technologies, and training programs for smallholder farmers. The goal is to meet the growing demand for rice domestically, reducing the financial burden of rising imports.

Over the past decade, rice consumption in Ghana has nearly tripled, with per capita consumption reaching approximately 45 kilograms annually. With this growing demand, there is an urgent need to ramp up local production to mitigate the economic strain of importing rice.

In 2023, the Asian African Consortium partnered with key industry players from Thailand and Ghana to establish an integrated rice farming project, further supporting the government’s push for import substitution and economic growth.