175-Hectare Anunuso Irrigation To Boost Rice Production- Agric Minister
Mr. Eric Opoku The Government, through the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, has cut sod for the development of the 175-hectare Anunuso Water Conservation Scheme at Anunuso Valley near Read More... The post 175-Hectare Anunuso Irrigation To Boost Rice Production- Agric Minister appeared first on DailyGuide Network .
The Government has initiated the construction of a 175-hectare Anunuso Water Conservation Scheme in Sekyere East District of the Ashanti Region. This project is part of the West Africa Food System Resilience Programme and will add irrigable land to the country's agricultural capacity, benefiting at least 220 farmers from the Anunuso Rice Farmers' Cooperative.
The Minister for Food and Agriculture, Eric Opoku, highlighted the project's role in reducing farmers' reliance on unpredictable rainfall, ensuring year-round food production and aligning with the Feed Ghana Programme's Irrigation for Wealth module. Technical projections suggest the project will increase rice yields from 2.5 metric tonnes per hectare to 5 metric tonnes per hectare, producing about 1,750 metric tonnes of paddy and 1,100 metric tonnes of milled rice annually.
The scheme is expected to generate 100 jobs during construction and 2,500 employment opportunities when fully operational, spanning various stages of the rice value chain. Opoku urged the Anunuso Rice Farmers' Cooperative to collaborate with agricultural extension officers and prospective buyers, emphasizing the importance of market-guided production, quality, timely harvesting, proper drying, storage, and efficient milling.
He also called for continuous consultations on land agreements with traditional authorities and technical support on improved seeds, soil fertility, pest management, and efficient water use. The Minister directed the contractor, Nathawo Investment Properties and Investment Limited, to ensure quality workmanship and strict compliance with approved specifications, encouraging local participation.
The broader Food System Resilience Programme aims to rehabilitate or develop 4,800 hectares, with 3,700 hectares across four irrigation systems and 1,100 hectares in four inland valley enclaves. The Minister expressed gratitude to traditional authorities for land release and praised farmers for their cooperation, stating that the ultimate measure of the investment would be enhanced production certainty, increased harvests, and sustainable income growth for farmers.
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