Vegetable farmers at Nimoro want their dam dredged
The farmers are worried they may lose their only source of livelihood
Vegetable farmers at Nimoro a community in the Sissala West District of the Upper West Region are appealing to the government as part of its flagship one-Village One-Dam Initiative to dredge a dam which is their only source of livelihood during the dry season.
Read full articleThe farmer group who have produced a lot of tomatoes over the past seven years, suffer the consequences of inadequate water supply to water their vegetables in the dry season.
The dry season gardening at Nimoro was set up by Plan Ghana to engage the residents of the area to earn a living instead of travelling down south to look for none existing jobs.
A total of 32 farmers have been producing vegetables particularly tomatoes on the 8 acreage garden.
The farmers complain the water in the dam is now muddy as it is gradually drying up making it difficult for them to get water for the plants.
Tomatoes farming the farmers claim could get them between GHC2,000 to GHC10,000 per farmer in a season depending on the number of cartons produced by the farmer but this is at risk as their crops are all dying as a result of lack of water.
Farmers had to practice mulching to keep moisture and also prevent them from further rot.
The Sissala West District Chief Executive Bako Zakaria Mohammed together with some expects have visited the irrigation facility to see the extent of damage and also look at the dam in other to make recommendations to the government.
Mr George Bentoh who is now on retirement decided to venture into farming.
He said some Youth who migrated down south last year have now decided to join the gardening because it is profitable than going to do "kayayo".
He complained more of the youth are willing to come back but the water situation is preventing them.
"Our children want to come and join us but there is no water. The water in the dams is muddy".
George is, therefore, appealing to the government to either support them with another dam or dredge the existing facility for them to improve production.
The Upper West Regional coordinator for the infrastructure for Poverty Eradication Programme Emos Jatuo commended the community for their efforts in vegetable production though with limited supply of water.
He said what government can do is to help improve water supply system for the farmers.
The Sissala West District Chief Executive Bako Zakaria Mohammed lamented about to water situation at the garden.
He appealed to the Central government through the Ministry of Agriculture to consider the Nimoro irrigation dam in its programme.
