Ghana launches irrigation projects to boost rice production

Ghana's Minister for Food and Agriculture, Eric Opoku, has launched two major irrigation projects under the Food Systems Resilience Project (FSRP) to enhance agricultural productivity and food security.

In the Atwima Nwabiagya North district, construction has begun on a GHS 4.1 million Inland Valley project at Aninkroma. Expected to be completed within 16 months, the project aims to provide a reliable year-round water supply to support farmers and improve rice cultivation conditions.

Simultaneously, the government has commenced work on the 175-hectare Anunuso Water Conservation Scheme in the Sekyere East District. This project is designed to reduce reliance on rainfall and is projected to double rice yields from 2.5 to 5 metric tonnes per hectare. Once operational, the scheme is expected to benefit at least 220 farmers and create approximately 2,500 employment opportunities across the rice value chain, including milling, transportation, and trading.