AGRICULTURE

Volta region engages 65,000 farmers in “planting for food and jobs” in 2017
A total of 65,000 farmers in the Volta Region have taken advantage of government’s planting for food and jobs programme in 2017, Dr Archibald Yao Letsa, Volta Regional Minister, has said.

Date Created : 3/28/2018 8:34:20 AM : Story Author : GNA


He said the number reflected the commitment of farmers to the development of agriculture and also their faith in government's policies, and asked more farmers to register this year.

Dr Letsa who was speaking at the commissioning of three dams in the Region, said the Government would continue to cushion farmers and that the “One Village One Dam” policy was propelling the nation towards becoming an enviable food basket.

He said measures were being put in place for irrigation facilities in communities in Volta north to increase production to feed industries.

Mr Wilson Darkwah, Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Ghana Irrigation

Development Authority asked the people to help maintain the facilities and take advantage of them for year-round farming.

The GH¢ 22 million project, which commenced in 2015 include the rehabilitation of the Keyime dam in the Agortime Ziofe District, and the construction of two others at Ayitikofe and Kpoglu in the Akatsi South, and Ketu South respectively.

A fourth dam is still under construction at Ohawu in the Akatsi North District.

The Keyime dam holds about 3.4 million cubits of water, irrigates 25 hectares of serviced farmland, and is expected to increase investments in cereal and vegetable cultivation in the area.

The Kpoglo dam has an 800 meter retaining wall and a 70 hectare irrigable area suitable for vegetable and rice production.

Mr Anthony Anyidoho, a rice grower, called on Government to provide access roads, warehouses and threshing floors to augment production.

Chiefs from the beneficiary communities expressed gratitude for the projects and appealed for loan facilities and technical support for farmers.