GIDA has transferred control of locations for an irrigation initiative in Afram Plains.
The Ghana Irrigation Development Authority (GIDA), under the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA), has allocated two sites in the Kwahu Afram Plains of the Eastern Region for the establishment of irrigation facilities.
These sites, located in Ahenase-Pitiku and Ataneata-Nkwantanang within the Kwahu East District, are designated for the Afram Plains Economic Enclave Irrigation Project (APEEIP). This initiative is an integral component of the government’s Planting for Food and Jobs (PFJ 2.0) program’s second phase.
The project aims to develop irrigation infrastructure covering 250 hectares in each community, with an anticipated completion timeline of two years.
The APEEIP is a comprehensive irrigation endeavor encompassing six sites grouped into four zones. These zones include Ekyeamanfrom, Konadu, and Atonsu in the Kwahu Afram Plains South District, as well as Kumawu NSS Farms in the Sekyere Afram Plains District of the Ashanti Region.
These selected areas boast fertile lands and ample water resources, including streams, rivers, and the Volta Lake, ideal for supporting agricultural activities.
The project’s zoning comprises Kwahu Afram Plains South and Kwahu Afram Plains North forming Zone One, Kwahu East, Kwahu West, and Kwahu South constituting Zone Two. Zone Three encompasses Fanteakwa, Birim North, Kwaebibirem, Atiwa, and Denkyembour, while Zone Four includes Sekyere Afram Plains and Sekyere Kumawu.
Overall, the APEEIP is poised to cover approximately 5,000 hectares of cultivable land across these identified zones, focusing on the cultivation of cereals and vegetables.
Its primary objectives include mitigating food insecurity and unemployment by enhancing food production and crop yields to bolster the national economy.
Emphasizing the significance of the project, Eng. Oppong Boateng, CEO of GIDA, underscored its critical role in MoFA’s initiative to establish irrigation projects within six farming enclaves. This initiative aims to foster job creation and reduce reliance on food imports.
