A GNA Feature by Solomon Gumah
Nabuli (N/R), March 15, GNA – Over 75 percent of farmers in Northern Region rely on rain-fed agriculture, according to the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MOFA).
Yet, data from Ghana’s Meteorological Agency shows a troubling trend, which indicates the region’s average annual rainfall has declined by 20 percent since 2000, with droughts becoming more frequent and severe.
This growing climate crisis threatens both national and regional food security and pushes countless farming communities to the brink of collapse.
Trends of Rainfall Patterns and Impact of Dry Spell in Ghana
In 1983, a severe dry spell, coupled with devastating bushfires, resulted in one of Ghana’s most severest famines, it reduced rainfall patterns to critical levels, with many regions, recording the lowest average rainfall with some areas dropping as low as 50 percent.
This resulted in severe crop loses, food scarcity, and widespread malnutrition affecting approximately 12 percent of the country’s population.
In 2020, a similar dry spell in both major and minor seasons in southern parts of the country affected key agricultural areas including Afram Plain, Kintampo, and Ejura Sekyere – Odumasi, which resulted in the national average maize yield drop from 3.8 metric tonnes per hectare in 2019 to 3.3 metric tonnes per hectare in 2020.
The Northern Regional Department of MOFA in the 2024 farming season reported that an estimated 460,784 hectares, representing 60 percent of the region’s cultivated land were affected by the dry spell, with worst hit areas including, Savelugu, Mion, Gushegu, Nanumba North, Karaga, Yendi, while key staple crops such as cowpea, maize, rice, soybean, millet, groundnut and yam were severely affected by the dry spell.
While dry spell is commonly known as a prolonged period of unusually low rainfall, causing water scarcity that disrupts agriculture, weakens ecosystems, and undermines community well-being, its devastating impacts on livelihoods cannot be overemphasized, with MOFA recording farmer investment losses of approximately GHC 3.5 billion across eight regions in the country, including northern region.
Personal Stories of Farmers’ Struggles
Bright Sanja (not his real name), a 35-year-old smallholder farmer in Gushegu, lost his entire 30-acre groundnut farm, with no alternative livelihood.
He now struggles to feed his family of six and pays school fees. He told the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in an interview that the provision of simple irrigation technologies could have helped to salvage his predicament.
He explained that “Even though we lost our farms to the dry spell, an irrigation system, provided for us in this community could help reduce poverty, hunger and rural urban migration”.
Mahamudu Hafiz, a 50-year-old farmer in the Yendi Municipality, recounted the impact of the dry spell on his crop yields and income, adding that water scarcity has weakened his livestock, making them vulnerable to diseases.
“I spent more on veterinary services due to unusual disease outbreaks,” he said. “Goats that used to sell for GHC 1,000 now go for less than GHC 500.” He expressed his willingness to embrace any available irrigation technology that would help improve his source of livelihood and also keep him floating in the farming business.
Hussein Ziberu, a pastoralist, lamented to GNA that he lost four cattle, 10 goats, and 15 sheep between May and September 2024, and disclosed that the harsh conditions even caused miscarriages among his livestock, forcing him to migrate in search of grazing land which eventually sparked conflicts with other farmers.
These real-life stories reveal the urgent need for sustainable solutions to break the cycle of loss and vulnerability.
Irrigation Technology: A Path to Resilience
Experts argue that investing in irrigation technology could transform agriculture in the Northern Region, helping farmers adapt to climate change and secure their livelihoods. Irrigation systems can ensure consistent water supply, reduce dependency on rainfall, and sustain crop production even during dry spells.
Experts propose the adoption of simple irrigation technologies, including drip irrigation that allows water to slowly drip directly to the plant roots through small holes in pipes, which saves water, reduces weed growth and delivers moisture to where plants needs it the most.
Mulch Basin Irrigation is one of the simple irrigation methods, recommended by experts, it requires farmers to dig small basins around plants and cover the soil with mulch, it conserves water, reduces evaporation and improves soil health.
Farrow Irrigation is another method that is recommended for farmers. It involves water flowing through small channels between crops rows, soaking into the root zone, it is more suitable for larger fields and uses gravity to distribute water.
Success Stories of Countries that Adopted Irrigation Technologies
In the 1960s, India implemented the Green Revolution, which included the development of irrigation technology. This initiative led to a substantial increase in crop yields, particularly for rice and wheat. For instance, rice yield rose from about 2 tonnes per hectare in the 1960s to 6 tonnes per hectare in the mid 1990s.
To combat climate – induced water challenges, Niger also implemented a solar-powered drip irrigation technology through the Niger Irrigation Programme (NIP). This initiative has enabled small to medium scale farmers to produce more crops like onions, pepper, tomatoes, okra, watermelon, thereby improving their incomes level and resilience to drought, floods and other climate-related extremes.
Bangladesh expanded their irrigation networks and has since achieved significant increases in rice production. For example it has produced approximately 39.1 million tonnes of rice, maintaining its position as the third largest producers of rice globally.
Dr Charles Nilimor, Manager of the Technology Park at CSIR-SARI, has indicated that adopting these climate-resilient technologies could be a game-changer for Ghana.
“Irrigation can sustain crop yields despite droughts, enhance rural livelihoods, reduce poverty, and build community resilience to climate shocks,” he said.
Recommendations/Way Forward
While technology offers hope, experts stress the need for a holistic approach in applying technology to enhance and maximise all year round production of food to ensure food security and food sufficiency.
Professor Franklin Nantui Mabe, Senior Lecturer at the Department of Agriculture of the University for Development Studies, Nyankpala Campus, called for farmer training, capacity-building programmes on efficient irrigation practices and climate-resilient agriculture.
He proposed the adoption and utilization of mobile apps, like weather forecasting apps and agricultural advisory apps to access information and advice on managing dry spells.
Professor Mabe recommended the integration of trees into farming systems, to provide shade, improve soil health and increase biodiversity and to invest in research and innovation, and seek increased funding for research into new irrigation technologies and farming practices suitable to Ghana’s changing climate.
Conclusion
The dry spell crisis in Northern Region and the country as whole, is not just a seasonal challenge but a long-term threat to food security and rural livelihoods. By investing in irrigation technology, training farmers, and fostering research and innovation, Ghana could protect its agriculture future and empower communities to thrive despite climate change.
GNA
EA/CA