The North East Regional Minister, Hon. Ibrahim Tia, has reaffirmed government’s commitment to all-year farming, describing dry season agriculture as a key driver of higher incomes, food security, and economic transformation in the region.
Hon. Tia gave the assurance during a field visit to dry season farmers in Nagboo, Gaagbini, and Karimenga in the East and West Mamprusi Municipal Assemblies, where he assessed progress under the government’s all-year farming initiative.
The visit was undertaken alongside the Regional Director of Agriculture and his team, as well as the Municipal Chief Executives for East Mamprusi and West Mamprusi.
Addressing farmers, the Regional Minister said dry season farming clearly outperforms rain-fed agriculture despite requiring more initial investment.
“When you compare dry season farming to what we do during the rainy season, there is always a vast difference. Whatever you get from one acre of dry season farming is more than what you would even get from ten acres during the rainy season,” Hon. Tia stated.
He noted that farmers in the area had already demonstrated strong capacity in tomato production and stressed the need to scale up cultivation of tomatoes, onions, and watermelons to meet national demand.
“We want to encourage you to farm so that vehicles that leave Techiman, Sunyani, Kumasi and Accra to Burkina Faso to buy tomatoes will remain in the North East Region to buy tomatoes here,” he said.
According to Hon. Tia, government support to the farmers has included the supply of water pump machines, hybrid tomato seeds, and other essential inputs to boost productivity and participation in dry season farming. He explained that the introduction of hybrid tomato seeds last year began as a pilot but has now moved into full-scale production.
“This time, it is not about demonstration again. We have started. We must upscale tomato farming so that the North East Region becomes the hub of tomato production in Ghana,” he emphasized.
As part of ongoing interventions, farmers also received free fertilizer under the Feed Ghana Initiative spearheaded by President John Dramani Mahama. The Regional Minister pledged sustained collaboration with the Municipal Assemblies and relevant agencies to expand the programme.
“We have supported some people, and we will continue. This will not be the end. Wherever there is water, including underground water, we are ready to drill boreholes to help more farmers start,” Hon. Tia assured.
He added that beyond income generation, dry season farming improves nutrition and livelihoods, helping communities transition from seasonal to all-year agriculture.
“You have fresh vegetables, you have income, you eat good food, and you become healthier. We have the solution. Let us implement the policy,” he said.
Hon. Tia concluded by reiterating his commitment to seeing the all-year farming initiative succeed, with the ultimate goal of transforming agriculture and changing the narrative of farming in the North East Region from seasonal to continuous production.
Source: www.kumasimail.com
