Lack of irrigation facility, a major challenge to farmers at Sugudi
Pusiga (UE), Nov 15, GNA - Lack of irrigation facilities in the Sugudi Community in the Pusiga District of the Upper East Region is one of the major problems confronting farmers in the area.
Members of the Sugudi Asangkat Nong Cooperative Farmers Society made this known at a press briefing at Pusiga recently. Farming in the dry season is therefore a major problem for the farmers.
“The situation is getting worse and worse as there is no source of drinking water for our livestock during the dry season because we have only one rainy season in a year and that also affects our livestock,” the Treasurer of the Association, Mr Charles Abugre said.
Mrs Akandibila Asule, a 38 year old woman, said the challenge was seriously undermining education in the area as many of them could not engage in dry season activities such as tomato, onion, pepper and green leafy vegetables among others to cater for their children's education.
“As a result of this many of our children have left for the southern sector and neigbouring countries and thereby forfeiting their education”, she indicated.
The community indicated they were prepared to release land for the construction of a dam for them and called on government as a matter of urgency come to their aid to ameliorate their plight.
“We are also ready to ensure that we help maintain the facility if we get it since we are in dire need of it, it will help us in all year farming”.
A research conducted by BUSAC service provider, Mr Richard Ananga, confirmed the farmers' plight and recommended the construction of a dam for the community since majority of the community members were farmers and their livelihoods impinges on that.
It, however, recommended for all stakeholders to be involved including the Ghana Irrigation Development Authority, Irrigation Company of Upper East Region, the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MOFA) among others.
Mr Ananga said BUSAC had been supporting the farmers to do advocacy and lobbying aimed at getting the duty bearers to come to the aid of the farmers and noted that so far 30 of the farmers had received advocacy training and a research conducted on the needs of the farmer among others.
GNA