World Bank commits US$30M to boost Ghana’s irrigation, food productivity

GHANA – The World Bank has pledged to address a US$30 million funding gap in Ghana’s Food Systems Resilience Programme (FSRP), aiming to enhance irrigation farming and boost agricultural productivity.

This commitment was announced by Mr. Ousmane Diagana, the Regional Vice President for Western and Central Africa at the World Bank, during his visit to the Kpong Irrigation Scheme and Kpong Left Bank Irrigation System sites.

There’s a US$30 million funding gap to see the full completion of this project. We’re a long-standing partner for Ghana in every area… and we will be happy of course to consider adding financing if necessary. So, this is absolutely possible,” Mr. Diagana stated.

Ghana’s irrigable land is estimated at approximately 1.9 million hectares; however, as of 2021, only about 223,000 hectares are equipped for irrigation, representing less than 3% of the total cultivated land.

This is significantly below the West and Central Africa average of 13.9%, impacting the country’s agricultural output and food security.

Mr. Diagana emphasized the critical role of agriculture in job creation and income generation, stating that “no country can develop without investing in its agriculture.”

He urged the Ghanaian government to invest sustainably in smart agriculture to enhance productivity and reduce dependence on imports of staples like rice, maize, and vegetables.

The ongoing irrigation projects in Asutuare and Kpong have shown promising results, with productivity reaching six tonnes per hectare. Mr. Diagana noted that achieving close to seven tonnes per hectare would signify optimal use of resources and a high likelihood of the project’s success.

Ghana’s strategic location as a gateway to other countries positions it advantageously for regional agricultural trade. The World Bank has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting and scaling up irrigation initiatives to strengthen food resilience and security in the region.

Mr. Osei Owusu Agyeman, the Project Coordinator of FSRP, highlighted that the project combines adaptive mobility and sustainable interventions to equip vulnerable households, farmers, and communities to withstand uncertainties and shocks in food production and distribution.

He mentioned that with US$22.5 million from the World Bank, FSRP has modernized major irrigation schemes in the country.

Ms. Priscilla Adom Tawiah, Secretary of the Investors Cooperative at the Kpong Left Bank Irrigation System site, acknowledged the project’s benefits, particularly for youth and women in agriculture.

We’ve brought a lot of economic development to the people,” she said, advocating for increased access to affordable funding for stakeholders in the agricultural value chain.

The World Bank’s additional financing is expected to bridge the funding gap, facilitating the completion of critical irrigation infrastructure.

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