GIZ through its Market-Oriented Agriculture Programme (MOAP) has supported Unity and Progressive Women Farmers Co-operative Society with a complete rice processing machine.
Petron of the farmer base group, Salifu Amadu noted that, machines comprising Destoner, Combine Rice Milling were those given them. He said the machines will remove the husks, stones and all unwanted materials/particle leaving only the freshly milled rice.
Mr Salifu thanked GIZ, MOAP for the support, like “Olive Twist” he used the opportunity to appeal for a packaging machine, as they rely on a different company for the sealing of the packaged rice.
On her part, Assistant Secretary of Unity and Progressive Women Rice Farmers Co-operative, Fatimata Osumanu, stressed that, the group has demonstrated commitment in adding value to their raw produce manually since 2014 and will not relent in their bid to get the best sent to the market.
“With hard work and determination we continue to improve upon our rice quality and in 2017 we abandoned the bowls measurement methods and start to package our rice for markets beyond the Upper West Region”.
Meanwhile, Madam Elizabeth Tanya, Treasurer of the group said when the machines are put into operation, it will help widen their market and further improve on the quality of the rice.
Through the Market-Oriented Agriculture Programme (MOAP), GIZ contributes to the development of value chains for maize, citrus fruits, mangoes and pineapples. Working with major processing companies, MOAP reaches large numbers of farmers, who benefit from training in good agricultural practices in areas such as tree pruning, weed control, plant protection and fertilizer use, enabling them to boost their productivity. GIZ also provides advisory services to Ghana’s Ministry of Food and Agriculture and supports private sector capacity building in the agricultural sphere.
