Irrigation Over Inputs for Food Security

By Daniel NONOR, Accra

DR Abu Sakara, a renowned agronomist, has called for a significant shift in Ghana’s agricultural policies, advocating for increased investment in irrigation over the continued reliance on rain-fed farming and distribution of agricultural inputs.

 According to Dr. Sakara, without this strategic planning, Ghana’s agricultural sector will continue to suffer from the cyclical impacts of drought and erratic rainfall, leading to food insecurity and economic instability.

He spoke on the  Zed Multimedia morning show programme.

He indicated that there was an urgent need for an evolved approach to agriculture in the country as a more sustainable and effective measure to dealing with the imminent food crisis Dr. Sakara argued that the country must move beyo

nd merely increasing agricultural production and focus on transforming the entire agricultural value chain insisting that this evolution, is critical for achieving sustainable development and food security.

According to Dr. Sakara, Ghana’s agricultural challenges are not new, and the solutions required have long been identified. However, the country continues to struggle due to a lack of strategic investment and implementation of proven methods, particularly in irrigation infrastructure.

 “The fundamental question is, what is our irrigated area as a percentage of our cultivated area? Has it increased, decreased, or stayed the same over time?” he asked.

 Comparing Ghana to neighbouring Burkina Faso, which has a significantly higher percentage of irrigated land, Dr. Sakara drew attention to the inadequacy of Ghana’s current efforts.

Dr. Sakara criticised the recurring cycles of crisis management, where temporary measures like distributing seeds or banning exports are implemented instead of long-term solutions.

 He pointed out that while these interventions may provide short-term relief, they do not address the root problems, leaving the agricultural sector vulnerable to the same issues year after year.

“What we need is consistency and common sense. Implement what has been proven to work,” Dr. Sakara stated,

Furthermore, he suggested that the government invest strategically in infrastructure, particularly irrigation, to stabilize food production and reduce dependency on rain-fed agriculture. He noted that currently only a minute percentage of Ghana’s cultivated land is irrigated, a stark contrast to Burkina Faso, which, despite its drier climate, has nearly a million hectares of irrigated land.

Dr. Abu Sakara also criticized the idea of building dams in every village, calling it a “political campaign promise” rather than a practical solution. He explained that dams can only be built on certain types of soils that hold water, and indiscriminate construction of dams would lead to a misallocation of resources.

He further stressed the importance of connecting research to industry, noting that Ghana has some of the best agricultural scientists globally, but their work often goes underutilized due to a lack of funding and alignment with national priorities.

 “Research needs to be connected to industry, otherwise, it’s useless,” he said, advocating for a deliberate government investment in agriculture as a cornerstone of the economy.

When asked about the government’s plan to spend GHC1, 000 per hectare for farmers affected by drought, Dr. Sakara described it as a temporary measure that only replaces what farmers have lost.

He argued that the real solution lies in a commitment from the highest levels of government to evolve the agricultural sector and invest in long-term infrastructure.

Dr. Abu Sakara also emphasized the need for strategic investment in irrigation, agro-processing hubs, and water transportation over the next decade to ensure sustainable crop production. He warned that continuing to rely on rain-fed agriculture would only perpetuate the current cycle of vulnerability.

In a related development government has initiated a bold response to compensate farmers whose yield have been affected by the long spell of drought across the country.

 The government will compensate the affected farmers with GHS 1,000 per hectare of lost crops.

 This initiative is part of a broader effort to mitigate the adverse effects of climate change on agriculture, a sector crucial to the country’s economy and food security.

Minister of Agriculture Bryan Acheampong revealed that nearly 1 million farmers are at risk due to the severe droughts that have plagued the nation.

“We have validated about 871,000 hectares directly affected,” the Minister disclosed, emphasizing the urgency of the situation.

The compensation, amounting to approximately GHS 871 million, is a lifeline for farmers in the transition zones and savannah areas who have seen their livelihoods decimated by erratic weather patterns.

The compensation scheme is just one part of a multi-faceted approach by the government to address the agricultural crisis.

“We consume about 2.5 million metric tons of maize and 1.4 million metric tons of rice annually. With half of the year gone, we have consumed half of these, leaving us with a critical shortage,” he explained.

To bridge this gap, the government is investing in the southern sector’s minor season, while also bolstering the northern sector’s agricultural output.

In addition to direct compensation, the government plans to import essential food items to stabilize the market.

 “To fill the gap, we are looking at importing 313,000 metric tons of maize and 150,000 metric tons of rice. This will cost us approximately $90 million for maize alone,” the minister said

The total cost of these interventions, including cash grants, food imports, and other agricultural investments, is projected to exceed GHS 4 billion. “We know the investment required is significant, but we cannot fully compensate the farmers for all their losses. Our aim is to provide relief and help them rebuild,” the Minister stated.