Dry spell in northern Ghana;460,784 hectares of farms affected, gov’t to pay GHS 1000 per hectare to farmers
A total of 460,784 hectares of farms consisting of the various commodities in the northern region were affected by July-August dry spell, department of agriculture department revealed.
The affected farmers include 425,715 were males and 178,714 females representing sixty percent of farmers in the region. The dry spell delayed harvesting of yam has delayed as well as groundnut, the low or absence moisture in the soil has resulted in difficulty in fertilizer application, increased infestation of Fall Army Worms (FAW).
Regional crop officer Alhaji Dauda Abdul Salam presented the effects of the dry spell at an emergency meeting to deliberate on emergency responses and actions to mitigate the July-August prolonged dry spell in northern Ghana.
The meeting organized by regional department of agriculture with funding from USAID Policy Link brought together representatives of civil society organizations in agriculture, Ghana meteorological agency and representatives of metropolitan, municipal and district assemblies.
The situation, Alhaji Salam said prevented some farmers from preparing their farmlands for production. Some farmers were able to prepare their land but could not sow due to absence of moisture.
The few farmers who took advantage of the early rains in June to sow the crop officer said experienced severe drought on their farms. Most of the crops, especially maize and groundnut he explained have reached their critical wilting point whilst others have approached their permanent wilting point.
The dry spell he added also affected demonstration fields. The department, Alhaji Salam said has outline short, medium and long-term measures including planting of short duration maize varieties, planting of leguminous crops such as Cowpea, vegetables and sweet potatoes. As part of medium-term to long term measures, the department suggested that farmers identify fields near water bodies for dry season farming and also get seeds and pumping machines for dry season farming.
The department also advised farmers to establishment of irrigation schemes as long-term measures. Regional Director of Department of Agriculture, Hajia Hawa Musah said the department is liaising with Gmet to developing crop calendar to enable farmers plant according to the calendar to avert feature consequences of dry spell.
Hajia Hawa Musah, Northern Regional Director, Agric department
Explaining the rationale behind the emergency meeting, the director said there was the need to listen to development partners the support they are offering beyond the government support to the affected farmers.
