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Former Navrongo central MP establishes rice milling factory to boost local production and create jobs The former Member of Parliament (MP) for Navrongo Central, Sampson Tangombu Chiragia, has established a modern rice processing factory in Navrongo, in the Upper East Region, marking a significant step toward transforming agricultural production and creating employment opportunities in the area. The newly established factory, equipped with state-of-the-art machinery, has already begun production and is capable of processing 2,000 bags of 50kg long-grain rice per day. When it becomes fully operational, the facility is expected to produce up to 100,000 bags of 50kg rice per month, positioning it as one of the largest local rice processing ventures in northern Ghana. According to Mr. Chiragia, the establishment of the rice factory forms part of his long-standing vision to promote value addition in agriculture, in line with the government’s policy of transforming raw agricultural produce into finished products for both local consumption and export. “For too long, our farmers have been exploited because they sell their produce in its raw form. This factory will change that narrative. Farmers can now bring their rice here for milling, package it properly, and sell it at better prices. This way, they get more value and profit from their hard work,” he explained. Mr. Chiragia, who currently serves as the Technical Advisor to the Commissioner-General of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), revealed that the initiative was made possible through the support of some of his friends who share his vision of empowering farmers and addressing post-harvest challenges in northern Ghana. He noted that the rice factory is not only an investment in agriculture but also a job creation avenue for the youth and women in the community. So far, about 20 people—both men and women—have been employed at the facility, even though full-scale production is yet to commence. “Currently, close to 20 people, both women and men, are working here even though we are not in full production. When operations reach full capacity, we expect to employ even more people, especially the youth in Navrongo and surrounding areas,” he stated. Mr. Chiragia further emphasized that the rice factory supports the government’s 24-hour economy initiative, which aims to promote continuous productivity and enhance local manufacturing. He expressed optimism that rice produced from the Navrongo factory could be supplied to Senior High Schools, Colleges of Education, and Universities across northern Ghana. “We can’t continue importing rice from other countries when we can produce quality rice right here. With this factory, we can supply all the schools in northern Ghana and even beyond. This will not only create jobs for our farmers but also boost our local economy,” he noted. The establishment of the rice processing factory is expected to significantly reduce post-harvest losses, promote local rice consumption, and contribute to the government’s broader efforts to achieve food self-sufficiency. Farmers and residents of Navrongo have commended Mr. Chiragia for the initiative, describing it as a timely intervention that will help transform rice farming into a more profitable and sustainable venture in the Upper East Region. Source: a1radioonline.com|Moses Apiah|Navrongo
