Bangladeshi farmers to grow rice in Ghana, other West African states

Bangladeshi farmers are looking at possibilities of growing food in Ghana and other West African countries, that country’s media has reported.

According to the reports, the country’s farmers intend to grow rice and other food grains under what is known as ‘contract farming’. The other countries under consideration are Liberia, Cote d’Ivoire and Senegal.

“In the ‘Contact Farming System’ the Bangladeshi farmers will grow crops in those countries and Bangladesh will get half of the total production,” Bangladesh’s Foreign Secretary, Mohamed Mijarul Quayes was quoted as saying.

The reports cited him as saying initially some countries including Ghana, Senegal, Cote d’Ivoire and Senegal expressed interest in the deal and they have already made proposals to the Bangladeshi government.

He also said: “The countries have a lot of fertile lands. However, only rain-dependent crops are generally grown there. We have proposed contract farming to them so that they may allow us their lands for agriculture. We will send experts and farmers. The Bangladeshis will grow some crops round the year and train the locals.”

Apart from looking at farming, the Bangladeshis are also considering industrial investment in the pharmaceuticals, jute products, coffee, rubber, coco, yarn, garments and agriculture processing sectors of these countries, the reports said.

Bangladesh, the reports said has already suggested to Ghana to run Friday clinics to promote Bangladeshi pharmaceutical products.
By Emmanuel K. Dogbevi