The Peasant Farmers Association of Ghana (PFAG) has called on the Minister-designate for Food and Agriculture, Eric Opoku, to prioritise the development of robust irrigation systems to mitigate the growing impact of climate change on agriculture.
PFAG’s National President, Wepia Adugwala, emphasised that sustainable food production in Ghana can no longer depend solely on rain-fed agriculture. He highlighted the urgent need to transition to more resilient farming methods, particularly through the widespread adoption of irrigation systems.
Adugwala pointed to the Pwalugu Multipurpose Dam as a crucial resource capable of irrigating over 15,000 hectares of farmland, especially in northern Ghana. However, he noted that the dam’s full potential remains untapped, calling for expanded utilisation to ensure consistent and reliable irrigation across the country.
He urged the incoming agriculture minister to take decisive steps in modernising the sector and equipping farmers with the necessary infrastructure to adapt to evolving climate conditions. According to Adugwala, maximising the use of the Pwalugu Dam and similar irrigation projects would be instrumental in securing food production and sustaining farmers’ livelihoods.
“In this era of climate change, irrigation should be the top priority for the sector. Farmers are struggling, and if Ghana is to achieve food security, we cannot continue relying solely on rainfall for agriculture,” he stated. “Irrigation is especially crucial for those of us in northern Ghana, where a significant portion of the country’s food is produced. The Pwalugu Multipurpose Dam, for instance, is key as it has the capacity to irrigate over 15,000 hectares of land.”
The PFAG president’s appeal underscores the pressing need for investment in irrigation infrastructure to enhance agricultural productivity and resilience in the face of climate change.
