Alan Commissions Savelugu Rice Processing Factory, Under 1D1F

Minister for Trade and Industry, Mr Alan Kyerematen has commissioned a rice processing factory and a technology solution centre in the Savelugu Municipality, Northern Region.

The rice factory has a production capacity of 1.5 to 2.8 tonnes of processed rice per hour and falls under the government’s flagship programme; One District, One Factory (1D1F) initiative.

The inaugural party was dubbed, “Boosting Local Enterprise For Job Creation and Economic Prosperity Towards a Ghana Beyond Aid.”

The Savelugu rice processing factory, the latest to be inaugurated adds to several local enterprises boosted by the 1D1F.

Mr Kyerematen swore into office a nine-member board of directors to oversee the management and operations of the factory, so as to achieve efficiency and its intended purpose.

Technology Solution Centre

The Savelugu Technology Solution Centre will facilitate the production of spare parts, repair services and the manufacturing of agro-processing equipment.

The centre which is under the Rural Enterprises Programme (REP)  and the GRATIS Foundation will also give training for human resource and capacity building for various businesses in the area, including the factory.

At the inauguration ceremony last December 28, 2022, at Savelugu, Mr Kyerematen elated the rice processing factory would go a long way to increase the productivity of farmers and create jobs in the area.

He added it would also help increase the incomes of the farmers in the area and add value to their produce to enable them to be competitive both on the local and international markets.

The trade Minister said the technolgy solution centre was expected to support not only the rice factory, but to also provide modern-day technology augment the services to all factories in its catchment area.

He assured his outfit would continue to create the friendly business environment to ensure the sustainability of all businesses.

The National Director of the REP,  Akwasi Attah Antwi, disclosed the factory is expected to employ about 118 people, which encompasses management professionals, factory floor workers and plantation workers, who would work on the nucleus rice farms.

He emphacized, “In addition, over 754 farmers in the Savelugu Municipality and neighbouring communities will be directly engaged to supply rice to the factory.”

The Northern Regional Minister, Alhaji Shani Alhassan Saibu also indicated the factory would serve as a catalyst that would bring about the needed development in the region and enhance food security in the country.

The Municipal Chief Executive of Savelugu, Hajia Ayishetu Seidu observed it would address unemployment and attract young people into the agricultural sector.

She urged the people to grab the opportunity that comes with the initiative to enhance sustainable growth and development of the area.

The Chairman of the Board of Directors of the factory, Alhaji Sayibu Braimah promised to discharge their duties efficiently to ensure that the factory achieved its intended purpose.

The Savelugu rice processing factory is under the government’s flagship 1D1F Common User Facility (CUF) initiative; which is a farmer-owned agro-industrial processing facility established with seed funding from the Ministry of Trade and Industry under the Rural Enterprises Programme.

It seeks to enhance the ability of farmers and other agricultural value chain actors, with little or no financial capacity , to establish their own common user processing facilities to process their farm produce.