The Member of Parliament for Offinso North, Dr Fred Kyei Asamoah, has called on government to significantly increase investment in irrigation-driven agriculture to enable farmers across the country to cultivate crops throughout the year and reduce Ghana’s reliance on seasonal rainfall.
According to the lawmaker, strengthening irrigation infrastructure is essential for transforming the country’s agricultural sector, improving food security and boosting rural incomes. He noted that Ghana’s heavy dependence on rain-fed farming continues to limit productivity, particularly during the dry season when many farmers are unable to cultivate their lands.
Speaking on the need for a strategic shift in agricultural policy, Dr Kyei Asamoah said irrigation development would allow farmers to grow multiple crop cycles annually while protecting the sector from the growing unpredictability of climate patterns.
“Ghana has vast arable land and a hardworking farming population, but our production levels are still constrained because farming activities largely depend on rainfall. If we want to modernise agriculture and ensure food availability all year round, then irrigation must become a major national investment priority,” he said.
The MP explained that improved irrigation systems would not only support staple crop production but also encourage large-scale commercial farming, agro-processing and export-oriented agriculture. He added that such investments could also help stabilise food prices and reduce post-harvest losses.
Dr Kyei Asamoah further emphasised that irrigation projects should be integrated with broader agricultural development initiatives, including mechanisation, access to credit, improved seed varieties and farmer training. In his view, a coordinated approach would significantly enhance productivity and make agriculture more attractive to young people.
He also urged the government to collaborate with development partners and private investors to expand irrigation schemes across farming communities, especially in areas with high agricultural potential but limited access to water management infrastructure.
The MP pointed out that climate change has made rainfall patterns increasingly erratic, a development he said underscores the urgency of investing in sustainable water systems for agriculture.
“If we fail to act now, food production will continue to fluctuate, and that will affect both farmers’ livelihoods and the national economy,” he warned.
Dr Kyei Asamoah concluded by encouraging policymakers to prioritise irrigation in national agricultural planning, noting that year-round farming could play a crucial role in strengthening Ghana’s food systems and supporting long-term economic growth.
