Former Ghanaian Head of State John Dramani Mahama pledged to introduce a year-round irrigation system that would revitalize the country's cocoa farming industry. He said during an event in Accra that the plan would increase the yield of cocoa while increasing farmers' living standards and retaining Ghana's position as one of the leading exporters of cocoa in the world.
Most of the cocoa farming in Ghana has been problematic in the recent past, coupled with erratic rainfall and changes in climate coupled with poor quality soil. Such an irrigation plan, which Mahama described as part of his broader agricultural strategy, seeks to mitigate negative impacts attributable to the environmental issues at hand. He said the project would avail sustainable water supply systems for the growing of cocoa in the country and guarantee regular production cycles throughout the year.
"With a dependable irrigation system, our farmers will no longer be at the mercy of unpredictable weather patterns," Mahama said. "This will not only stabilize cocoa output but will also increase yields, helping to improve the incomes of farmers who are the backbone of our economy."
He said that his vision for holistic transformation of the cocoa sector included farming practices in modernizing farming, improving access to superior seedlings, and giving farmers some form of financial support. His government had rolled out several programs aimed at enhancing cocoa productivity in his first term; Mahama promised to ensure he continued the legacy if given the opportunity once again to lead the country.
Cocoa is the major agricultural export of Ghana, while it is also ranked second in the world, after Côte d'Ivoire. Nevertheless, despite its importance, the sector also has to put up with very low farmer incomes, aging plantations, and environmental challenges. It has been viewed that the proposed irrigation system will be one major stride toward the solution of such problems and the guarantee of sustainability in the farming of cocoa for future generations.
However, the pledge has been met with cautious optimism by industry experts, who say that a well-implemented irrigation system could give the cocoa industry in Ghana a much-needed boost and help stabilize the livelihoods of millions of farmers across the country.
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