The Upper West Region of Ghana has been ravaged by a two-month dry spell, leaving in its wake a trail of destruction and despair for farmers in the region. According to Madam Sandra Lamptey, the Upper West Regional Crops Officer, the dry spell has destroyed a staggering 223,953 hectares of crops, including maize, rice, vegetables, and soyabeans.
The affected crops were grown by 115,012 farmers, with 40,661 of them being women farmers. The impact of the dry spell is likely to have a significant effect on food production in the region, and if government intervention is not well targeted at farmers who are worst affected, it could have far-reaching consequences for the country's food security.
The Upper West Region is not the only area affected by the dry spell. Eight regions of Ghana have been impacted by the drought, which has resulted in widespread crop destruction and losses.
In response to the crisis, the Government of Ghana has announced an 8 billion Ghana cedis package to support affected farmers. The government has also announced a ban on grains export until January 2025 to prevent food shortages in the country.
Madam Sandra Lamptey has advised farmers in the Upper West Region to plant early maturing crops before the end of the raining season to minimize losses. She also appealed to farmers to practice sustainable farming methods to reverse the effect of climate change in the region.
"We urge farmers in the Upper West Region to take immediate action to mitigate the effects of this drought. We also appeal to them to adopt sustainable farming practices to ensure that we are not faced with this same situation in the future," she said.
The Upper West Regional Crops Officer emphasized that the government's intervention is crucial in supporting affected farmers and mitigating the impact of the dry spell on food production.
"It is imperative that government provides adequate support to farmers who are worst affected by this drought. We need to ensure that our farmers are able to recover from this disaster and continue to produce food for our nation," she said.
The government's package will include financial support to farmers, provision of seeds and fertilizers, and other forms of assistance to help them recover from the devastating effects of the drought.
The dry spell has also highlighted the need for Ghana to adopt sustainable farming practices and invest in climate change mitigation strategies. Farmers in the Upper West Region are calling on government to provide more support to help them adapt to climate change and build resilience against future disasters.
As the country continues to grapple with the aftermath of this disaster, it is clear that government intervention is crucial in supporting affected farmers and mitigating the impact of climate change on food production.
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