The Minister for Food and Agriculture, Hon. Eric Opoku, has assured contractors and famers of government commitment to resuming the stalled Kpong Irrigation Scheme renovation project.
The assurance was given during a working visit to the project site on Thursday, where the Minister inspected ongoing works and engaged key stakeholders.
The Kpong Irrigation Scheme project spans over 4,000 hectares of farmland, supporting about 2,500 smallholder farmers and 25 commercial farmers, and is considered a critical pillar of Ghana’s domestic rice production drive.
During the visit, the Minister assured contractors on site that outstanding payments would be processed expeditiously through the Ministry of Finance to enable work to resume without further delay.
As part of measures to curb post-harvest losses and strengthen domestic rice supply, the Minister directed the National Food Buffer Stock Company to immediately engage the Kpong Irrigation Scheme Farmers Association for the procurement of excess rice produced under the scheme.
The directive, he said, aligns with government’s broader strategy to boost local food production, stabilize farmer incomes, and reduce Ghana’s reliance on rice imports.
During interactions with farmers, Hon. Opoku pledged to deploy excavators to support land preparation and desilting of choked canals, aimed at improving irrigation efficiency and productivity.
The Minister further announced that access roads leading to the irrigation fields would be constructed, easing transportation challenges and facilitating the movement of farm produce to markets.
To enhance service delivery, Hon. Opoku disclosed plans to allocate a Farmer Service Centre to the area, which will provide farmers with access to inputs, extension services, and technical support.
The Kpong Irrigation Scheme has the potential to generate over 7,000 direct jobs and support the livelihoods of more than 21,000 indirect households.
Reaffirming government’s commitment, the Minister said the revitalization of irrigation schemes nationwide remains central to efforts to increase food production, create employment, and ensure long-term food security.
