By Evans Worlanyo Ameamu
Keta (V/R), March 27, GNA – Some farmers in the Keta Municipality of the Volta Region have called on the government to prioritise the construction of dams and irrigation infrastructure across various communities.
The appeal follows persistent challenges posed by unreliable rainfall and water scarcity, which have severely hampered agricultural productivity in recent years, leading to reduced output of crops such as tomatoes.
The farmers emphasised that prioritising irrigation farming would be the most effective strategy to ensure a steady food supply for the population.
Mr Agbedanu Mawuli, a farmer at Vui in Keta, told the Ghana News Agency that shifting from dependence on seasonal rains to controlled water systems would position the country to achieve greater self-sufficiency and reduce vulnerability to external factors affecting food availability.
“A key concern raised by many farmers is the heavy reliance on imports, particularly tomatoes from neighbouring Burkina Faso. Recent developments, including the suspension of fresh tomato exports, have exposed the risks of dependency, triggering shortages and price spikes in local markets,” he said.
He explained that farmers in the Keta area traditionally produced significant quantities of crops such as tomatoes, garden eggs, onions, and pepper, but lack of sufficient support had limited their efforts.
Mr Mawuli noted that inconsistent rainfall patterns, exacerbated by climate variability, had led to repeated crop failures and reduced yields over the years, stressing that prioritising irrigation would be a game changer.
“Dry spells during critical growth periods often result in substantial losses, undermining our livelihoods and the nation’s overall food production goals,” he said.
Madam Juliana Afedo, another vegetable farmer, stressed that without reliable water sources, fertile lands in the area would remain underutilised during the dry season, underscoring the need for urgent adoption of irrigation methods.
She argued that targeted irrigation projects would enable year-round cultivation, boost output, and stabilise supply chains for perishable vegetables.
Beyond water access, the farmers highlighted the need for complementary infrastructure such as processing facilities.
They explained that such developments would help preserve harvested crops, add value through processing, and reduce post-harvest losses that erode profits and contribute to waste.
They added that processing units could transform surplus produce into canned goods, purees, or dried products, extending shelf life and opening new market opportunities both domestically and for export.
Ho Social Irrigation Keta
GNA
Edited by: Maxwell Awumah/Audrey Dekalu