Ho-Ghana, Dec. 1, GNA – Dr. Archibald Yao Letsa, Volta Regional Minister, has assured farmers that lost their farmsteads in the spillage of the Akosombo Dam of the needed support.
He said the flood devastation was sure to affect food security in the region and the country , and that stakeholders would provide the needed support to revive farm holdings.
More than 40,000 people were displaced in the floods, which affected thousands of farms feeding off the river.
Dr Letsa, speaking at the regional farmers day celebration being held at the Jubilee Park in Ho, said the regional agriculture directorate was tasked to compile a list of affected farmers and holding for the needed support.
“The Region is counting its losses, but we are also positioning ourselves to properly take stock and make the best out of the situation by documenting the most pressing needs and proffer the best prescriptions, especially for our gallant farmers to get back to work.
“I want to assure the farmers of the affected areas that the Region will continue to stand with them to the end. We will facilitate the process by liaising with the appropriate authorities to provide them with the necessary support, especially planting materials and fertilisers when the next season is due.
“The Region plays a pivotal role in the nation’s food security drive and our dear nation Ghana will not turn its back on the region. We currently produce over 23 per cent of the local rice stock which has become a major staple in the average Ghanian’s diet.
“I have tasked the Regional Department of Agriculture to come up with the most pressing needs of farmers and rank these in order of priority in readiness for any intervention by the State to assist farmers.
“Though this devastation in the short term will impact the Region’s food situation, we are quite sure that our next breakthrough is not far from us,” he said.
A total of 6,740 farmers have been reported affected across the Region, and Mr. William Dzamefe, Regional Agric Director, said more than 6000 hectares of cropped fields translating into over 50,000 metric tonnes of various crop produce were lost.
He assured the farmers of the needed technical support to the VRCC to revive the farmsteads.
Mawuwoe Xesumali, from the Ketu South Municipality, was adjudged the best farmer for the Region, and he has some 50 acres of maize, 35 acres of rice, 20 acres of potatoes, vegetables 36 acres among others.
A women’s farmers group from Akatsi won the district women’s processing group for the Region for producing flour from potatoes, cassava, and producing soya milk among other products.
