Some Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in Ghana have called on the country’s government to support farmers whose farmland and livestock were destroyed in the recent floods in the Upper East Region.

Chairman of Advocacy Committee of Upper East Regional CSOs Platform in Agriculture, Bismark Ayorogo, made the call in a statement.

It was gathered that the recent flooding caused by the heavy rains and the spillage of the Bagre dam compounded the woes of the region and smallholder farmers, especially persons with a disability, youth, and women farmers.

It was learnt that the farmers who would have produced in greater quantities to increase food productivity and food security for improved livelihoods of the people have had their farms submerged and livestock lost.

‘The significant contributions of government’s flagship programmes, such as Planting for Food and Jobs programme, to poverty reduction, food security, nutrition, and jobs in the region have been eroded as the flood caused considerable damage to crops, livestock, small dams and post-production infrastructure in many farming communities in the region’, the statement read.

According to studies, about 200,000 farmers registered for the Planting for Food and Jobs Programme in 2020 in the region.

The group of CSOs called on the government to establish an Emergency Flood Relief Fund (EFRF) to alleviate the worsening plight of affected farming communities through food aid, livestock support, and 100 percent subsidy on all agricultural inputs for dry season farming.

The CSOs also called on the government to expedite action on the construction of the Pwalugu Multi-Purpose dam to control and manage subsequent floods in the region for increased agricultural activities to the benefit of the people.

Source: News Ghana

Photo source: Dru!