Upper West: About 223,953 hectares of crops destroyed, says regional crops officer

The Upper West Region is struggling from a terrible two-month dry period that has caused devastation to the agricultural industry, displacing thousands of farmers.

According to the Upper West regional crops officer, Sandra Lamptey, the drought has destroyed about 223,953 hectares of crops, including staples such as maize, rice, vegetables, and soybeans.

The scale of the destruction is unprecedented, with 115,012 farmers directly impacted, including 40,661 women whose livelihoods have been severely compromised. The loss of these crops is expected to have a ripple effect on food production and security, not only in the region but across the country.

Lamptey expressed deep concern over the potential long-term consequences of the drought, particularly for food security.

“The destruction of such a vast area of crops will have a significant impact on food availability in the region. If we do not target government intervention effectively, the situation could worsen, leading to severe food shortages,” she said.

The Upper West Region is not alone in facing the consequences of this drought. Eight regions across the country have been affected, with widespread crop failures reported.

The government has responded to the crisis by announcing a GHC8 billion support package aimed at helping farmers recover. Additionally, a ban on the export of grains has been imposed until January 2025 to ensure that domestic food supplies are secured.

Lamptey advised farmers in the Upper West Region to adopt early-maturing crop varieties before the end of the rainy season to mitigate further losses.

She also emphasised the importance of sustainable farming practices in combating the effects of climate change, which has exacerbated the severity of the drought.

“We urge farmers to act quickly by planting early-maturing crops and adopting sustainable methods to protect their future harvests,” she stated.

“Climate change is a reality we must face, and sustainable farming practices are essential to preventing such disasters in the future.”

The government’s intervention will include financial assistance, the provision of seeds and fertilisers, and other forms of support to help farmers recover from the devastation. However, Lamptey stressed that these efforts must be well-targeted to reach the most affected farmers.

“It is crucial that government support is directed towards those who have suffered the most. We need to ensure that these farmers can rebuild and continue to provide food for the nation,” she added.

The drought has underscored the urgent need for Ghana to invest in climate resilience and sustainable agriculture. Farmers in the Upper West Region are calling for increased government support to help them adapt to the changing climate and build resilience against future disasters.

Some farmers in the region suggested that the government implement a series of integrated measures, including supporting the cultivation of shorter gestation crops, redistributing food from areas of abundance to those in need, and exploring technologies like cloud seeding used in neighbouring Burkina Faso.

They also advocated for sustainable land and water management practices, such as utilising the Volta Rivers for irrigation and creating water buffers or dams to manage floodwaters effectively.

Reporting by Alhassan Tajudeen in the Upper West Region

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