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The Government has launched a new initiative, “Irrigation for Wealth Creation,” aimed at expanding irrigated agriculture to increase food production and reduce dependency on food imports. Eight regions have been selected to benefit from the first phase of the initiative, which will span one year.
The Volta, Oti, Central, North East, Northern, Savannah, Upper West, and Upper East regions have been identified for the initial rollout, with their respective regional ministers tasked with leading the implementation efforts. These ministers are expected to engage stakeholders within their regions to ensure the smooth execution of the project.
Announcing the initiative during a meeting with selected Regional Ministers, the Minister for Food and Agriculture, Hon. Eric Opoku, disclosed that 10,000 hectares of land would be required for the first phase. He emphasized that the initiative aligns with the government’s broader Agriculture for Economic Transformation agenda, aimed at ensuring food security and economic sustainability.
According to Hon. Opoku, the identified areas had already been earmarked for irrigation development in previous years. However, further engagement with local chiefs and stakeholders is necessary to formalize agreements and proceed with implementation.
The exact nature of irrigation infrastructure to be developed in each region will be determined after a comprehensive field assessment by experts. This is to ensure that each region receives a system that best suits its geographical and agricultural needs.
Highlighting the importance of irrigation in transforming Ghana’s agricultural sector, the Minister stated:
“Farming in Ghana is seasonal because we rely heavily on rainfall, which is not always favorable. Currently, only 1.6% of Ghana’s 1.9 million hectares of arable land is under irrigation. This is far below the West African average of 13.9%. If we want to boost food production, we must invest significantly in irrigation infrastructure.”
He further lamented the country’s high food import bill, which exceeds $2 billion annually, arguing that such dependency on imports weakens the economy, affects businesses, and exacerbates unemployment.
“Why should we be importing food at such high costs while we have the capacity to produce enough to feed not only Ghana but the rest of West Africa? This must change,” he stressed.
While the minister did not disclose the cost of the initiative, he assured that the financial details would be outlined in the 2025 budget statement.
“We have commissioned a team to conduct field assessments and finalize the designs. The actual cost will be determined once the fieldwork is completed. As soon as the budget is approved, we will begin the contracting process and move to site immediately,” he assured.
The “Irrigation for Wealth Creation” initiative is expected to be a game-changer for Ghana’s agricultural sector, ensuring year-round farming, increasing food production, reducing food imports, and creating employment opportunities across the selected regions.
