File photo of irrigation system
To ensure year-round farming and boost productivity, the Ashanti Regional Directorate of Agriculture will focus on irrigation development and post-harvest management.
Dr David Anambam, Regional Director of Agriculture, said under the Food Systems and Resilience Programme (FSRP), irrigation systems will be designed and constructed in Sekyere East and Atwima Nwabiagya North districts to enhance dry-season farming, improve water availability, and increase crop productivity.
He noted that 65% of agriculture in the region is rain-fed, posing challenges, and called on private partners to invest in irrigation facilities and modern farm implements for crop and animal production.
Smallholder farmers within farmer-based organizations and aggregators will be trained on post-harvest losses, quality standards, and aflatoxin prevention.
For 2026, the Directorate projects stable food supplies, strengthened extension services, and robust crop performance. In-land valley rice, supported by irrigation, is expected to do well, with yields rising from 0.8–1.0 tonnes per hectare to 3.5–4.5 tonnes in irrigated fields. Cassava and cocoyam are expected to remain stable, while vegetables are projected to perform better under irrigation.
Dr Anambam added that farmer cooperatives under the Feed Ghana Initiative are being registered to improve marketing power. Efforts are also underway to link rice and maize farmers to the School Feeding Programme to mitigate market uncertainties.
