By Mike Dewornu
From Monday 3rd February 2025, the kpong Irrigation Dam will be closed down for rehabilitation works to begin. The project, valued at 22.6 million U.S. dollars and funded by the World Bank, aims to modernize and expand irrigation infrastructure to benefit more farmers in Akuse and Asutsuare area in a move to improve food security in the country.
In recent times, Ghana and the rest of the world are being impacted greatly by climate change. River systems have been affected with unexpected drought and in some cases excessive floods have destroyed farmlands and other livelihoods of farmers. These shocks call for the need to build resilience to mitigate the shocks on water resource used for agriculture, livestock watering and aquaculture development. To achieve this the Ministry of Food and Agriculture with support from its partners the West Africa Food System Resilience Project and the World Bank has decided to support Ghana Irrigation Development Authority to deliver on its core mandate of developing suitable water resources for irrigated farming.
The Kpong Irrigation scheme is part of a larger regional effort under the West Africa Food System Resilience Project, aiming to build sustainable food systems across West Africa. Ghana’s focus includes rice, maize, poultry, and vegetables, with infrastructure improvements designed to protect farmers from climate and market shocks.The first phase of the Kpong Irrigation Scheme project, completed between 2017 and 2021, transformed 4,000 hectares of land, benefiting smallholder farmers, commercial enterprises, and aquaculture operations. The second phase of the Kpong Irrigation Scheme rehabilitation is part of the West Africa Food System Resilience Project, FSRP, with $22.6 million in funding from the World Bank.
The project includes rehabilitating irrigation and drainage systems, installing, automation and water management equipment, and improving road networks. In November last year the Ghana Irrigation Development Authority, GIDA, cut sod for works to begin on the second phase of the Kpong Irrigation Scheme rehabilitation but works did not commence. This is because some farmers who depends on the irrigation scheme still had some farm produce under cultivation and were given time to harvest. At a stakeholders meeting the farmers and all who depends on the irrigation systems for their livelihoods and other activities have agreed that the dam be closed for the Rehabilitation works to begin.
The Acting Chief Executive of Ghana Irrigation Development Authority Mr. Richard Oppong Boateng said the Rehabilitation and modernization of the Kpong scheme is very crucial as it will enhance water access for farmers, benefiting over 4,000 hectares of land and will increase efficiency, boost production, and ultimately make Ghana’s agriculture sector more resilient.
The Chairman of the Farmers Association Mr. Samuel Amartey told GBC NEWS that all farmers and water users of irrigation scheme has agreed to closure of dam to ensure that work is expedited which will improved water supply and increase their rice yields and have better control over the growing seasons.
Upon completion, the rehabilitation will cover over 4,000 hectares of farmland, benefiting over 2000 both local smallholder farmers and large-scale aquaculture operations, providing sustainable water supply for rice, tilapia, and catfish production.
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