The Minister for Food and Agriculture, Mr Eric Opoku has noted the government’s solar powered borehole project would improve dry season farming and expand irrigation access across the five northern regions.
Speaking at the inauguration of the facilities in the Savelugu Municipality on Wednesday, he said the project would support farmers in the Northern, Upper East, Upper West, North East and Savannah regions to cultivate vegetables throughout the year.
The intervention forms part of the Greater Rural Opportunities for Women 2 (GROW2) project, funded by Global Affairs Canada and implemented by Mennonite Economic Development Associates in partnership with the Ministry of Food and Agriculture.
Under the project, 25 modern solar powered boreholes are being constructed across selected districts in the beneficiary regions at a cost of about GH¢8 million.
Mr Opoku said inconsistent rainfall patterns and limited access to water had over the years reduced productivity and contributed to seasonal unemployment among farmers in northern Ghana.
He explained that the solar powered boreholes would provide an environmentally friendly and reliable source of water for irrigation, allowing farmers to move beyond dependence on the rainy season.
According to him, the project would also help increase vegetable production, improve household incomes and strengthen food security in the northern belt.
The facilities are expected to benefit women in more than 3,000 Savings and Loans Groups in the beneficiary communities. Farmers under the programme would also receive training, agricultural inputs and support to access markets.
Irene Wirekoaa Osei, ISD
