Editor of Newscenta Newspaper, Elvis Darko, has called for the urgent introduction of simple irrigation systems to improve agricultural productivity and reduce post-harvest losses in Ghana.
He stressed that beyond increasing food production, there is a pressing need to adopt basic irrigation techniques to ensure consistency and sustainability in farming.
According to him, Ghana often faces food spoilage during harvest seasons, not because farmers don’t produce enough, but because there are no systems in place to manage and preserve the yields.
He explained that irrigation would not only support year-round farming but also help regulate supply and reduce the high levels of waste.
“We produce a lot of things, and when they are in season, the food gets rotten because we lack preservation methods. We need to introduce basic, simple irrigation methods.”
He further noted that the current national narrative, which focuses mainly on low production, ignores the structural issues that lead to waste and food insecurity.
His comments support the broader call by Minister of Food and Agriculture, Eric Opoku, who on Saturday, June 21, urged a national rethink of Ghana’s agricultural strategy.
The minister warned that the country’s heavy dependence on imported food is a threat to its economic sovereignty.
The Minister emphasised that food security is crucial to national development, stating, “We all understand that a hungry man is not a free man.”
