Revolutionizing Wheat Production in Ghana

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Revolutionizing Wheat Production in Ghana

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April 19, 2025

Revolutionizing wheat production in Ghana:

CSIR-CRI and Arima Farms lead the way

Tropo Farms is one of the leading producers of tilapia in sub-Saharan Africa ©Tropo Farms

In a historic move to enhance Ghana’s food security and reduce the country’s dependency on wheat imports, the CSIR-Crops Research Institute (CSIR-CRI) and Arima Farms have launched a novel wheat initiative aimed at introducing high-yielding, climate-resilient wheat varieties suited to Ghana’s agricultural conditions.

Ghana imports over $400 million worth of wheat annually, with demand rising due to increasing consumption of wheat-based products such as bread, pasta, and pastries. However, the country’s dependency on foreign wheat makes it vulnerable to global supply chain disruptions and price fluctuations. The CSIR-CRI Wheat Initiative seeks to address this challenge by developing locally adapted wheat varieties, creating a sustainable wheat value chain, and empowering farmers with the knowledge and resources needed to cultivate wheat successfully.

*Director of CSIR-CRI, Prof. Maxwell Darko Asante*

The launch event, held at the CSIR-Crops Research Institute (CSIR-CRI) in Kumasi, brought together scientists, industry stakeholders, and local farmers to witness this transformative initiative.

*A section of participants during the field day*

In his keynote address, Prof. Maxwell Darko Asante, Director of CSIR-CRI, highlighted the significance of the initiative in achieving agricultural self-sufficiency. “Ghana’s heavy reliance on wheat imports is unsustainable in the long run. Through this initiative, CSIR-CRI aims to identify and develop wheat varieties that can thrive in our local environment, ensuring that we have a stable, homegrown supply of this essential grain,” he stated.

*Dr. Felix Frimpong, Project Lead, delivering his presentation*

The project will involve research & development, seed breeding & improvement, farmer training & capacity building, as well as industry collaboration. The initiative will build a strong wheat value chain that ensures market access for locally grown wheat.

Dr. Felix Frimpong, a Research Scientist of the CSIR-CRI and the project lead of the initiative, expressed his sincere gratitude to the Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, the project partners, ARIMA Farms, CIMMYT, the Indian High Commission, project team members, and all stakeholders. He indicated that the project team members were very excited to finally have their efforts yield results. “Wheat is traditionally grown in temperate regions, but with advancements in breeding and agronomic practices, we are confident that Ghana can develop a sustainable wheat industry. This will not only boost food security but also create thousands of jobs in agriculture, processing, and distribution,” Dr. Frimpong stated.

He also called on the National Varietal Release and Registration Committee (NVRRC) to expedite action on approvals to ensure that farmers can cultivate without delay.

The Managing Director of ARIMA Farms, Madam Saalai Manikam, expressed enthusiasm about the collaboration and emphasized its importance in reducing the close to USD 400 million-dollar annual import bill on wheat in the country. “We are excited to join forces with CSIR-CRI, a renowned institution, to expand our sustainable farming efforts. By working together, we hope to not only increase crop yields but also contribute to environmental conservation and promote responsible agricultural practices,” she said.

She further indicated that beyond wheat, ARIMA is also working with other scientists from the Institute on soybean and tomato production.

*A section of participants observing various wheat products displayed during the launch*

Local farmers and agribusiness stakeholders have expressed strong support for the initiative. Mr. Daniel Antwi, a farmer, said, “If we can successfully grow wheat in Ghana, it will be a game-changer. Farmers will have a new profitable crop to cultivate, and our economy will benefit from reduced import costs.”

This initiative is a major step toward reducing Ghana’s dependency on wheat imports, strengthening the local economy, and positioning the country as a leader in wheat production in West Africa.

Source: www.cropsresearch.org

About CSIR-Crops Research Institute:

The CSIR-Crops Research Institute, headquartered in Kumasi, is Ghana’s leading research institution dedicated to agricultural science. Established in 1964, the institute focuses on the development of improved crop varieties and sustainable farming practices to enhance agricultural productivity and livelihoods.

Director of the CSIR-Crops Research Institute (CSIR-CRI) Prof. Maxwell Darko Asante

With Prof. Maxwell Darko Asante at the helm, CSIR-CRI is poised to continue its vital work in addressing the challenges of food security and sustainable agriculture, not only in Ghana but across the African continent.

About ARIMA Farms:

Arima Farms Ghana Limited is a commercial farming enterprise with its head office based in Accra, Ghana. Our focus is to develop commercial wheat production in rural communities with emphasis on technology and also encouraging participation of women and youth in agriculture.

Arima Group, under whose wing Arima Farms and Arise Mining operates with the CSR implementation done through Periyar African Foundation, is heading for greater reach and development. With think-tanks in a core team and with the learned in the advisory team the company dreams of a great future.

AGRIBUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION UNLOCKING THE WEALTH OF AFRICA’S AGRICULTURE:

PARTNERSHIP FOR COMMERCIAL WHEAT PRODUCTION PROJECTS IN GHANA ON OFFER!

South Africa boasts a highly diversified and market-oriented agricultural sector, with commercial farmers producing a wide range of crops and livestock, including grains, fruits, vegetables, wine, and meat, and are known for their expertise and productivity. South Africa is generally self-sufficient in meat and grain production and is internationally renowned for the quality of its wine, fruit, table grapes, and vegetables.

South Africa’s commercial farmers and agribusinesses are among the most productive and competitive in the world, with a focus on innovation and modernization.

The Agribusiness Development Corporation (ADC) is a Cape Town-based firm specializing in agribusiness project identification, development, facilitation and management across the African continent. Hennie van der Merwe, the CEO has the following to say about the company and its ventures:

We firmly believe that the economic development and prospering of the African continent. As an emerging economic trading bloc, Africa’s prosperity is inextricably linked to its ability to unlock the economic potential and value of its rich agricultural resources. The agribusiness sector can and should be a major driver of economic development and job creation on the continent, but the lack of commercial farming projects and functional agribusiness value chains (and the associated inclusive models for the development of this sector) remain some of the biggest constraints in this regard.

The ADC’s vision is to see the development and growth of the agribusiness sector in Africa to become a major driver of economic development, job creation and empowerment on the continent. Its core competence is its knowledge and understanding of the principles and requirements of commercial agribusiness projects in the African environment and ability to mobilise skilled professionals and other role players that can add value, enhance profitability and ensure the sustainability of interventions. It is currently working with over 70 product and service providers – from aquaculture firms and irrigation system manufactures to greenhouse suppliers and cold storage specialists – to develop agribusiness and rural development solutions for Africa.

The ADC has been involved with numerous agribusiness projects across the continent and has experience in several countries, including Angola, Nigeria, Tanzania, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Sudan, Ethiopia and Rwanda, to name a few.

We will bring the commercial farming know-how and experience to develop commercial crop & animal production, processing and marketing projects along the entire agribusiness value chain. This can be done for both green and brownfield developments from business plan stages, through the mobilisation of finance and market linkage, to project implementation and management.

We have specific expertise in the design, implementation and management of large scale grain production projects and look forward to the opportunity to assist Ghana and African countries to expand commercial wheat production!