Deputy Agriculture Minister John Dumelo has called for a science-based transformation of Ghana’s agricultural sector to bridge the productivity gap with countries like South Korea.
Speaking at the Citi Business Forum in Accra, Dumelo revealed Ghana’s rice yields average just 3-4 tons per hectare compared to South Korea’s 6-7 tons, attributing the difference to research-driven efficiency.
The actor-turned-politician emphasized that modernizing Ghana’s agriculture requires more than input distribution. “The real issue is whether we’re applying the right fertilizer to the right soil,” he said, highlighting ongoing nationwide soil testing initiatives by ministry scientists. His comments come as Ghana seeks to reduce its annual $500 million rice import bill through improved domestic production.
Dumelo’s vision for agricultural reform focuses on data-driven decision making across the value chain, from soil-specific fertilization to optimized farming techniques. The ministry’s push for scientific farming methods aligns with broader government efforts to achieve food security and reduce reliance on imports through targeted, knowledge-based interventions.
