Rice farmers at the Weta Irrigation Scheme, located in the Ketu North Municipality, have urgently appealed to the Minister for Food and Agriculture for intervention following severe flooding that has devastated their farms and threatened their livelihoods.
The farmers reported that nearly 97 percent of the rice fields within the irrigation scheme have been submerged due to heavy rainfall, resulting in substantial losses and jeopardizing this year’s harvest.
Mr. Gideon Kokoroko, the Convener of the affected farmers, informed the Ghana News Agency (GNA) that the current situation is significantly worse than the flooding incident of the previous year, which affected only a limited number of farms.
He recalled that after the 2025 floods, the Deputy Minister for Food and Agriculture visited the area and assured farmers that measures would be implemented to address their concerns; however, little progress has been made since then.
“This year, almost the entire irrigation scheme has been affected. The situation is much worse than what we experienced last year, and many farmers stand to lose their investments if urgent action is not taken,” he stated.
Several affected farmers, including Ms. Rebecca Nukporpe and Mr. Mensah Ziokli, indicated that they had already made substantial investments in the current production season and were at critical stages of cultivation before the flooding occurred.
They expressed concern that the destruction could have severe economic repercussions for their households, as many rely solely on rice farming for their income.
The farmers have appealed to the government to provide immediate relief support and to implement measures to protect the irrigation scheme from future flooding.
They specifically requested the provision of equipment and other support systems, including improved drainage and flood-control infrastructure, to safeguard the farms.
They emphasized that strengthening the resilience of the irrigation scheme is essential for sustaining rice production, ensuring food security, and protecting livelihoods in the area.
The farmers expressed hope that the Ministry of Food and Agriculture and other relevant agencies would promptly respond to their plight by providing both immediate and long-term solutions to this recurring challenge.
By Michael Foli Jackidy
Source: Access Agric
