Agricultural Research Scientist Professor Roger Kanton has urged Ghanaians to view the annual spillage of the Bagre Dam in Burkina Faso as an opportunity to enhance agricultural productivity, rather than as a disaster.
Recent reports highlight that farmlands along the Kubore River in the Northeast region have been submerged due to the Bagre Dam spillage and heavy rainfall.
Although this annual event typically causes significant damage to farms and properties, particularly in the Upper East and North East regions, Prof. Kanton believes the influx of water can be strategically used to improve agricultural output.
Speaking on the Citi Breakfast Show on August 21, 2024, Prof. Kanton remarked, “The Bagre Dam spillage should be seen as a blessing.
Just as Israel, despite limited rainfall, exports large quantities of vegetables due to their advanced irrigation systems, we can also benefit from this water. The key is in how we prepare to harness it.”
He advocated for the construction of larger, multi-purpose dams in regions like Kubore, where the spillage water could be used for irrigation.
Prof. Kanton also questioned the emphasis on the One-Village-One-Dam (1V1D) initiative, suggesting that investing in larger dams in water-rich areas might be more advantageous.
