By Philip Tengzu
Kpare, (UW/R), Nov. 9, GNA – Plans are far advanced for the construction of two irrigation dams in the Lambussie District to ensure all-year-round agricultural production, sustainable food production and food sovereignty in the area.
The dams are earmarked to be constructed in Lambussie and Piina No. 1 communities under the European Union (EU) Ghana Agricultural Programme (EU-GAP) Agricultural Water Management Project.
In addition, the Karni irrigation dam would be rehabilitated to enhance its water holding capacity to support dry season farming.
The intervention would create a total irrigable land area exceeding 170 hectares and provide a source of livelihood for many farmers and youth in the area.
Mr Nathaniel Zim-Meeweh Nambie, the Lambussie District Director of Agriculture, announced this at the Kpare community in the district at the weekend during the district’s celebration of Farmers Day.
This year’s Farmers’ Day, the 40th edition, celebrated on the theme: “Building Climate-Resilient Agriculture for Sustainable Food Security”, saw 19 farmers and Farmer-based Organisations recognised by the Lambussie District Assembly in partnership with ActionAid Ghana and GIZ.
Mr Nambie indicated that agriculture remained the backbone of the nation’s economy and there was, therefore, the need for increased concerted efforts to enhance the sector.
He mentioned the Planting for Food and Jobs phase two (PFJ 2.0), the Ghana Agriculture and Agribusiness Platform (GhAAP) and the Aggregator Credit Input Supply Support (ACISS) programme as some government initiatives to improve the sector in the district by advancing farm input support to farmers.
He explained that 923 initial registrants of the PFJ 2.0 were supported with inputs grant, including bags of fertilizer and seeds to enhance their production under the GhAAP.
Under the ACISS, 1, 818 bags of NPK fertilizer were distributed to 306 farmers in the district during the 2024 cropping season.
“Together, we are building a resilient agricultural sector that is adaptable to climate variations, ensuring sustainable food security for our district and nation,” Mr Nambie stated.
Naa Baloree-Zumoh Baligi, the Divisional Chief of Kpare, appealed to the government to put in place measures to reposition the nation’s agriculture sector from the hoe and cutlass system to mechanisation agriculture to enhance commercial farming.
He said that would encourage many young people to venture into agriculture as a source of employment rather than seeking white-colour jobs.
Naa Baligi urged traditional leaders and the district assembly to effect stringent measures against the menace of bush burning and commercial charcoal production in the area.
The farmers recognised at the event took home bicycles, cutlasses, and wellington boots, among others.
The Second and first runners-up received a motorcycle and other items while the overall district best farmer got a tricycle.
Mr Kamesuo Baalong, the district’s best farmer, thanked the district assembly for the recognition and said it would impact on his farming activities.
He encouraged young people to see farming as a business and to take advantage of it with the current government interventions in the agricultural sector to enhance their livelihoods.
GNA