A GH¢50,000 commitment by Bolgatanga Central Member of Parliament Isaac Adongo to desilt canals under the Vea Irrigation Scheme is expected to improve water flow to farmlands and revive dry-season farming in parts of the constituency.
The intervention forms part of a new partnership between Mr Adongo and the Irrigation Company of the Upper Region (ICOUR) under the Grassroots Integrated Agriculture Support Programme (GIASP), aimed at increasing food production, improving livelihoods and creating jobs for farmers and young people.
Speaking after an engagement with farmers at Yikene, ICOUR Managing Director, Dr Dominic Anarigide, said the funds would support the rehabilitation of canals linking the Vea Dam to farmlands that have been affected by poor water flow.
He said improved irrigation would enable farmers to produce tomatoes, pepper and rice more effectively during the dry season.
Dr Anarigide explained that the collaboration was designed to bring together the resources of the MP and ICOUR to address some of the challenges confronting farmers under the Vea Irrigation Scheme.
“The MP has reached out to us to see how we can collaborate to ensure that the farmers in his constituency, as well as the youth, benefit from government programmes in agriculture,” he said.
The Vea Irrigation Scheme serves communities across the Bolgatanga Municipality and Bongo District.
Dr Anarigide said the scale of the scheme and the challenges facing farmers meant that no single institution could address the problems alone.
“You will notice that the Vea Dam runs through the two districts, Bongo District and Bolga Municipal. In Bolga Municipal, it is covering a number of communities and he alone cannot do it all, so we are partnering to put our heads together to see how we can support the farmers in the production of tomato, pepper and rice,” he said.
Under the GIASP, Mr Adongo will also provide fertiliser and free ploughing services for farmers, while ICOUR will provide seeds, seedlings, water and additional fertiliser support.
Dr Anarigide said ICOUR would complement the MP’s fertiliser intervention with organic and inorganic fertiliser to improve crop production.
The initiative is expected to benefit both existing farmers under the irrigation scheme and young people seeking employment opportunities through agriculture.
Farmers at the Yikene engagement welcomed the intervention, expressing hope that improved irrigation, access to inputs and mechanisation would help increase their yields and incomes.
Source: bolgafmonline.com|102.7 MHz |David Azure| Bolgatanga
